CRI听力: Tourism Brings Change for Miao in Fenghuang

These Miao girls are singing to welcome guests in Fenghuang, where the Miao minority group makes up about 60 percent of the population. Many Miao here still live traditional lives in remote villages, and until several years ago, their living conditions were still very poor. Long Hanqiu, a resident in Zaogang Miao village, recalls life in the past.

"Life was really tough in the past. We had to water the farm using rainwater. There was no tap water, electricity, or highroad here. When we were young, we walked for more than an hour to a school in a nearby village every day."

Since early 2000, the tourism industry in the western Hunan area has prospered, and Fenghuang soon became a tourist hotspot. Besides the famous Fenghuang ancient town, the Miao villages also attract large numbers of people who want to see the beautiful natural scenery and unique Miao culture. (www.hXen.com)

Miao people are a versatile group famous for their singing and dancing. Therefore, local young people have found a new way of making a living - through performing for tourists.

Long Hanqiu's daughter is now working with the performing team in his village, and Long himself runs a family business allowing tourists to dine in his home, greatly increasing the family's income. According to a Miao girl named Shi Lin, the new jobs solve the problem of income for local people.

"Local people had to work in other places and could not come home for a long time. The development of the tourism industry is good for the people in Miao villages. Young people can earn enough income by performing in the village and at the same time take care of their parents."

Farming is still the main industry for villagers, but Shi Lin says they can find other ways to make extra money.

"In the Fenghuang ancient town, there are many elderly women wearing traditional Miao clothes selling souvenirs. They are all from the nearby villages. Through this business, they can earn enough money to support their families. And younger people can also find jobs in the town as the economy has developed well there."

As there was no road in the mountain area, villagers used to walk a long way to purchase goods in other villages and walk for more than an hour to farm their fields every day. In Zaogang Village, the local primary school has only two grades, so children have to go to a larger village for further study. After the roads were constructed, the students' daily trip was shortened to less than an hour from two to three hours. Many families have also bought motorcycles and other electric appliances.

Some worries have also appeared alongside the benefits brought by the tourism industry. Western Hunan has two kinds of Miao people - one group has generally adopted the living style and culture of the Han people, while the other keeps Miao traditions and may even speak only the Miao language. As more and more visitors come to Miao villages, many worry that the ancient Miao traditions will gradually vanish. However, Shi Lin has a different opinion.

"If the Miao villages are not developed, the living standard is too bad. In fact, the old traditions like the Miao festivals are still well-preserved. During the traditional festivals, many people come to our villages especially to see and experience the celebration activities."

Local tourism department statistics show that income from tourism accounted for 58 percent of Fenghuang County's GDP last year, and it is estimated that a larger sum will be made this year.

Local Miao people are feeling confident of a brighter future.