The view from 'acrobatics village'

Wei Xuehong, 53, had been an acrobatic actor from Weixiaozhuang village of Linquan county, Anhui province, since childhood.

The villager was born into a poverty-stricken family and started to learn acrobatic skills from his parents when he was about 14.

Weixiaozhuang has been known as "acrobatics village" with most of the households being engaged in acrobatic performances for generations.

Wei said he loves acrobatics, though he had experienced much difficulty earning a living as he traveled around the world.

Three years ago, he retired from the business upon the requirement of his two sons to stay home taking care of his five grandchildren as his sons continued to run the family business.

Returning home, Wei hung his wooden benches, which had been used for performances, high under the roof of the warehouse

During a recent visit to his home, a China Daily reporter saw him taking down the benches down, interlocking them up and balancing them overhead with his teeth to refresh glorious memories.