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A child selects books at the "Banshan Huayu" library in Qiunatong Village of Bingzhongluo Township in Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, Lisu Autonomous Prefecture of Nujiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 5, 2023.
The Nujiang River, cascading down from the Tanggula Mountains on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, carves its way through the majestic mountains of Yunnan where a magnificent canyon is formed. Nestled at the northernmost tip of the Nujiang River canyon is the village of Qiunatong, home to a unique library called "Banshan Huayu" (Half Hill Flower Talks). "The aroma of books reminds me of the fragrance of flowers," said Gan Wenyong, the library owner.
Qiunatong Village, Gan's hometown, was once entrenched in dire poverty. Due to financial constraints, he missed out on educational opportunities during his childhood. Instead, he spent his childhood doing farm works, herding cattle, collecting herbs, and feeding pigs. However, in 2006, Gan seized the chance to pursue education when the revised Compulsory Education Law abolished tuition and miscellaneous fees. At the age of 14, he began studying in the fourth grade, relying on donations to complete his schooling and was later admitted to a university. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao)
Gan Wenyong arranges books at the "Banshan Huayu" library in Qiunatong Village of Bingzhongluo Township in Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, Lisu Autonomous Prefecture of Nujiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 5, 2023.(Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
Children read books at the "Banshan Huayu" library in Qiunatong Village of Bingzhongluo Township in Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, Lisu Autonomous Prefecture of Nujiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 5, 2023.(Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
Children read books at the "Banshan Huayu" library in Qiunatong Village of Bingzhongluo Township in Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County, Lisu Autonomous Prefecture of Nujiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 5, 2023.(Xinhua/Fei Maohua)