The construction of a road and the deployment of Internet access have radically changed the destiny of an isolated mountainous village in Sichuan.
Tourists explore the mule track in Gulu village, Hanyuan County, Sichuan, March 1.
In the lingering coolness of the Beijing spring, Zheng Wangchun joined the Great Hall of the People to participate in the Two Annual Sessions. Secretary of the Party cell of Gulu village, in Hanyuan district, in Ya’an (Sichuan), this deputy of the National People’s Congress (NPC) remained true to his roots by wearing his traditional vest of the Yi ethnic group.
He says he applauded enthusiastically when the Prime Minister stressed, during the presentation of the Government Activity Report, that the well-being of citizens was the absolute priority. “I was particularly moved when he mentioned rural senior care and subsidies for services for disabled seniors. »
His reaction went beyond courtesy. During the Two Sessions this year, the MP also submitted two concrete proposals aimed, on the one hand, at strengthening rural care services for seniors and, on the other hand, at accelerating the renovation of dilapidated homes representing a risk for the occupants.
“Previously, I focused my efforts on bringing people back to their land. But over the last two years, I have preferred to work to help those who remained in order to improve their living conditions,” he explains.
Overcome obstacles
The mountain is at the heart of every story of the Yi village of Gulu, clinging to the steep cliffs of the Grand Canyon of the Dadu River.
For generations, the only access to this village was by climbing ladders bolted to the wall. A single trip down the mountain could take half a day.
If the precariousness of the village has long been attributed to this hostile terrain, Mr. Zheng took a different look at the situation, believing that if the mountain was immutable, the development strategy could change everything.
Upon his election as head of the village in 2002, he tackled the most pressing challenge by drawing up plans for a road capable of facilitating the movement of people and goods. However, despite the completion of this project, the exodus of residents persisted. Zheng Wangchun then understood a fundamental truth: physical opening up was not enough to ensure the future of the community.
This observation became obvious in 2023, when a young villager had the idea of selling his smoked pork via live streaming. Due to a lack of network, he had to climb to the top of the ridge, phone in hand, to painfully register a few orders.
Driven by this urgency, Mr. Zheng, then a newly elected NPC deputy, decided to bring the issue of connectivity to the national stage. During the 2023 Two Sessions, he submitted a proposal calling for better internet coverage in rural areas. The response was quick. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology asked China’s three major telecommunications operators to conduct research directly at the village. In 2024, the connection was established and Gulu finally had 4G and 5G coverage.
The change was immediate. Residents began streaming live from home and customers were able to pay with a simple QR code scan. The village’s smoked pork, once sold locally, could finally be shipped across the country thanks to online platforms.
“The mountain had not changed, but had ceased to be an obstacle,” says Mr. Zheng.
This dual connectivity, road and digital, has boosted the attractiveness of the village: in 2025, tourism revenues will exceed 12 million yuan, a prodigious result for a community with only a few hundred inhabitants.
However, Mr. Zheng never let the numbers cloud his judgment. When tourism began to grow, some suggested transforming the village by building man-made attractions or adding fashionable projects to attract crowds. Mr. Zheng never let himself be convinced: “Visitors travel all this way to see a real Yi village and experience real Yi life.”
The challenge was therefore to advocate a respectful approach which consisted of preserving the soul of the village while modernizing the welcome. He therefore often reminded guest house managers of a rule: welcoming guests in the Yi way, with sincerity and honesty. For him, this authenticity has always been the village’s most lasting asset in terms of rural tourism.
Two teachers surrounded by their students in Hanyuan (Sichuan), October 15, 2008
Prosperity for all
Mr. Zheng believes that prosperity cannot be measured by numbers alone. When he visited Beijing for this year’s Two Sessions, he had more than just the number of tourists on his mind: “Last year, the revenue was impressive, but the biggest beneficiaries were those who had the manpower and resources to run guesthouses or sell local products.” » His gaze is now turned towards the most vulnerable: seniors and families housed in dilapidated homes impossible to renovate without means.
Faithful to this vision, he submitted proposals focused on care for the elderly in rural areas and the renovation of the most precarious housing. “I hope that the popularity of Gulu village is not due to the number of tourists, but to the feeling of happiness of its people. If everyone can affirm that life is full of promise, the village of Gulu will have achieved its ultimate goal of prosperity based on a real and lasting foundation,” he confides.
On March 5, Mr. Zheng listened to the Government Work Report with particular attention. He carefully noted the announcement of the expansion of inclusive senior care services in his notebook: “This growing focus on rural seniors gives me greater confidence in the work I do as a village manager. »
From building the road to providing internet access, from attracting tourists to caring for locals, every step has been guided by new ideas and perspectives. “Ultimately, ensuring that residents live with dignity and joy is the most enduring attraction of Gulu Village,” he concludes.
