A large slab is moved by four villagers in Qinglongxia village, Changzhi city, Shanxi province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

As the Chinese saying goes: "If you want to be wealthy, build roads first".

Niu Hesong knows how much infrastructure means to his hometown of Qinglongxia village, Changzhi city, Shanxi province.

Tucked away in the steep Taihang Mountains, villagers long suffered from poor transport infrastructure due to the rugged terrain. Although there are several scenic spots near the village, few tourists could get to because there was no suitable access.

That changed in February when a 3,500-meter stone-paved path was opened to hikers. In just a few months, it has led more than 60,000 tourists to Qinglongxia village, increasing village incomes.

After the path (background) built in February, villagers are adding another one, hoping that tourism will transform and accelerate the local development. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

"With more routes built to connect the village to the outside, the future of Qinglongxia will be promising," Niu, 45, says.

Previously a reporter at Jinzhong Daily, Niu has seen how tourism helps transform and accelerate rural development.

His own hometown had everything that was needed to develop into a tourist spot, except for one crucial thing: an access route.

Quitting his job in Jinzhong city, Shanxi, in February 2018, Niu returned to his hometown and seven months later, he came up with the idea to build a path to bring visitors to the village.

Niu (right) and Guo Linqiang break rocks to make them easier to transport. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

When discussing the plan with villagers, he was confronted with opinions that the project was mission impossible.

The steep terrain of the Taihang Mountains makes it difficult to bring up large machinery, which meant construction would have to rely on manpower.

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The steep terrain of the Taihang Mountains made it difficult to bring up large machinery, which means construction depended on manpower alone.  (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Niu didn't give up and started construction himself. This inspired action by others.

Touched by Niu's determination — where there's a will, there's a way — more villagers rose to the challenge and participated in construction.

They organized teams to carry rocks from the mountains, and by February, they had already completed 3,500 meters, using more than 100,000 rocks and stones.

Niu Hesong (right) chats with villagers about the benefits brought by the path. Since its opening, some 60,000 tourists have come to Qinglongxia village, Changzhi city, Shanxi province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The local authorities allocated 50,000 yuan ($6,839) for the project at the end of 2018.

It also received donations from individuals and organizations for materials, such as water, noodles, folding beds, tents and other supplies.

When their success story was broadcast by media platforms, tens of thousands of tourists came to visit.

Villagers opened homestays and restaurants to meet demand.

"My Qinghong homestay is the first in the village. Thanks to the path, business is going well," homestay owner Niu Huikai says.

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Villagers take the situation into their own hands as they negotiate a perilous route to improve access to their community. Tucked away in the Taihang Mountains, residents were isolated due to inadequate infrastructure. (PHOTO / XINHUA)