DM Monitoring
CHENGDU: A paved road linking a remote, mountainous village in southwest China opened to traffic on Tuesday.
Located in the county of Butuo, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, Abuluoha Village, of 253 residents, was believed to be the last incorporated village with the proper conditions to be linked with a paved road in the country, said the Sichuan provincial transport department.
Villagers celebrated the opening of the 3.8-km road on Tuesday morning.
The construction on the road started one year ago. Due to the rugged mountainous terrain, heavy transport helicopters were dispatched to fly large equipment into the village for the construction.
Previously, locals had to walk more than three hours to get out of the village through stone stairs on the mountain.
But now, it only takes around 10 minutes to leave the village and two hours to reach the county seat by bus.
Ada Meyouza, an ethnic Yi villager, put on a pair of heels for the first time in her life and stepped on the road when it opened.
“This is more exciting than giving birth to a baby,” the 24-year-old said.
More local specialties such as pepper and honey are expected to be transported out of the isolated village through the new road to increase villagers’ income.
