Aizhai Bridge becomes road to prosperity for local villagers

Yang was born in Jiating Village in Aizhai Township, a previously impoverished village of the Miao ethnic group tucked away in Dehang Canyon. She used to walk along rugged pathways for nearly three hours to get out of the village. Fortunately, she managed to complete her study at a college in Jishou.

With the increasing number of tourists, households in Jiating Village have embraced growing business opportunities. In 2018, Yang started her own rural-style restaurant in the village and later opened a workshop together with fellow villagers to weave Miao-style clothing.

"By selling Miao-style handmade clothes and other agricultural products, I can earn more than 10,000 yuan (about 1,575 U.S. dollars) a month during tourist season, and the annual income is about 70,000 yuan," Yang said.

Apart from making her own fortune, Yang is also helping other fellow villagers improve their lives. She has established cooperatives to help locals sell vegetables, fruits, tea leaves and handcrafts via various sales channels, with the dividends boosting the incomes of the villagers.