Despite China's economic boom over the past decade, rural life has changed little in the remote village of Dali in the country's southwestern Guizhou province.
What's life like in a Chinese village? —
Despite China's economic boom over the past decade, rural life has changed little in the remote village of Dali in the country's southwestern Guizhou province.
Katie Hunt/CNN
While the houses in Dali village have electricity, not all families can afford appliances like washing machines. Incomes, on average, are less than a third of those in cities.
What's life like in a Chinese village? —
While the houses in Dali village have electricity, not all families can afford appliances like washing machines. Incomes, on average, are less than a third of those in cities.
Katie Hunt/CNN
Rural schools are often run down and under funded but Dali's children got a new elementary school building in 2007. According to the Rural China Education Foundation, nearly half of rural children in some areas don't go to high school.
What's life like in a Chinese village? —
Rural schools are often run down and under funded but Dali's children got a new elementary school building in 2007. According to the Rural China Education Foundation, nearly half of rural children in some areas don't go to high school.
Katie Hunt/CNN
Propaganda slogans are commonplace in Chinese villages to encourage people to comply with government policies. This one reads: State family planning policy connects everyone. Rewards and subsidies warm the heart of the people."
What's life like in a Chinese village? —
Propaganda slogans are commonplace in Chinese villages to encourage people to comply with government policies. This one reads: State family planning policy connects everyone. Rewards and subsidies warm the heart of the people."
Katie Hunt/CNN
Like most of southern China, rice is a staple crop. Grown on terraced paddy fields that surround Dali, three mu, equivalent to about half an acre, can feed a household.
What's life like in a Chinese village? —
Like most of southern China, rice is a staple crop. Grown on terraced paddy fields that surround Dali, three mu, equivalent to about half an acre, can feed a household.
Katie Hunt/CNN
The migration of many working-age men to coastal areas for work means women and the elderly are often responsible for agricultural work.
What's life like in a Chinese village? —
The migration of many working-age men to coastal areas for work means women and the elderly are often responsible for agricultural work.
Katie Hunt/ CNN
In addition to growing rice and vegetables, many families raise pigs.
What's life like in a Chinese village? —
In addition to growing rice and vegetables, many families raise pigs.
Katie Hunt/CNN
Like many young men in the village, Shi Tao is a migrant worker. He has returned home from the southern factory town of Dongguan for the birth of his first child but will soon leave again.
What's life like in a Chinese village? —
Like many young men in the village, Shi Tao is a migrant worker. He has returned home from the southern factory town of Dongguan for the birth of his first child but will soon leave again.
Katie Hunt/CNN
Many women in the village, which is home to the Dong ethnic group, still prefer to wear traditional dress.
What's life like in a Chinese village? —
Many women in the village, which is home to the Dong ethnic group, still prefer to wear traditional dress.
Katie Hunt/CNN
The village marks major events like births and deaths with communal meals cooked in giant woks.
What's life like in a Chinese village? —
The village marks major events like births and deaths with communal meals cooked in giant woks.
Katie Hunt/CNN
Traditional practices are still observed. After the death of a village elder, female family members wearing white headscarves sit wailing by the coffin wailing and a sacrificed pig.
What's life like in a Chinese village? —
Traditional practices are still observed. After the death of a village elder, female family members wearing white headscarves sit wailing by the coffin wailing and a sacrificed pig.
Katie Hunt/CNN
Chinese funerals are noisy affairs, with pipers, wailers and firecrackers
What's life like in a Chinese village? —
Chinese funerals are noisy affairs, with pipers, wailers and firecrackers
Katie Hunt/CNN