Better life of elder from Dulong ethnic group in NW Yunnan

Kong Dangna prepares to go downhill after reaping fodder grass in Kongdang Village of Dulongjiang Township, Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, northwest Yunnan province, Oct. 31, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

The 78-year-old Kong Dangna of Dulong ethnic group once experienced years of insufficient food and clothing and made her living on slash-and-burn cultivation. In those days, she thought the best life was being capable of eating buckwheat noodles for every meal.

Thanks to the help of local government, Kong's family moved from a mountainous area to a relocation site near the village committee. The newly-built house is the best house the whole family has ever lived in. Her family also started herb planting and other businesses.

Another major change took place in 2014 when a tunnel linking the village and the outside world was built. Heavy snow used to block the mountainous area for over six months every year. "I haven't been to the county before," Kong Dangna said, but now she goes to the county for physical examination every year.

"Life is much better now, and the village has changed a lot," Kong Dangna said.