(100 great changes) From 'village on the cliff' to 'village of happiness': Yi Ethnic minority embraces the Internet

A steel ladder and network cable have changed a small village. At an altitude of 1,400 meters, Atule'er in the Daliang Mountains of southwest China's Sichuan Province is known as "Village on the Cliff".

Before 2016, the village was only accessible via 17 rattan ladders. At that time, villagers had to spend a good chunk of time climbing the ladders on the precipice. With unavailable delivery of commodities, local economic development seemed a mission impossible. Kids risked their lives commuting between school and home.

In May 2016, Liangshan Prefecture and Zhaojue County allotted 140,000 dollar to erect a steel ladder. After over 7 months, more than 6,000 steel tubes weighing over 120 metric tons were securely mounted. A 2.8 km-long "steel ladder" took shape.

Alongside the steel ladder are fiber-optic broadband, high-speed WiFi, and 5G etc... People do not have to walk around to search for signal connection. The village is now a "smart community". As agritainment, home inns, and retailers spring up, a previously unfrequented village--is now a popular tourist attraction.

Local young people are even engaged in live commerce. As cured meat, Sichuan pepper, honey and other local specialties go viral online, the small village is now entwined with the outside world. In May 2020, 84 poor households were all relocated from run-down cottages to houses in public settlements, as part of the province's largest relocation and poverty alleviation project.

The village on the cliff is now turning into a village of happiness, where young people are striving for a bright future.

STAFF

General Producer   

Yu Lan   Hu Fang

Producer    

Wu Qingcai

Executive Producer       

Zeng Nai

General Director  

Chen Xingang  Wang kai

Chief Editor    

Cao Hangyu  Ma Xueling

General Coordinator  

Zhao Anyuan   Ren Shuai   Zhu Na

Translator  

Liu Wen

Screenwriter 

Li Chaopeng   Shisi boyi

English Reviewer  

Mo Hong’e   Qi Yiling   Jiang Lu

Voice Actor 

Liu Wen

Publicity Director  

Wang Shanshan   Fang Min   Zhou Jing