Transformation of School Commute for Nizhuhe Village Children Through Infrastructure Development

For many students, rising early for school can be a struggle, but for the children living in Nizhuhe village, this challenge was compounded by their previous commute involving a dangerous and exhausting three-hour trek. Nestled at the bottom of a steep and rocky canyon in Southwest China's Yunnan province, their journey to school required climbing cliffs and crossing rivers.

In recent years, however, significant changes have transformed their daily routine. The establishment of the Nizhuhe Grand Canyon scenic area has resulted in the construction of new transportation options, allowing students to now take a 268-meter cliffside elevator, followed by a cable car trip and a bus ride to their school, significantly cutting their travel time to just 30 minutes. This new route takes them from an elevation of 1,100 meters to 1,650 meters, making the school commute much safer and more enjoyable.

Since the development of the scenic area began in 2017, the "aerial school bus" has operated since 2022, greatly simplifying the journey for the children. Villager Zhao Suzhen shared her relief, recalling how she and her older son had to navigate steep 70-degree cliffs in the past, using drilled holes and chains for support. Her younger son, Lei Xin, expressed his enjoyment of the ride, noting that it was much more fun and convenient than scrambling over rocky terrain.

As a boarding school, Guanzhai Primary sees children from Nizhuhe village commuting weekly via this new transportation system. Yang Jie, the Party secretary of Puli township, expressed pride in the local development, reflecting on how difficult it once was for even adults to travel in and out of the area. In the past, safety concerns meant that several men were required to escort children to school, but the problem was acknowledged and addressed when experts were consulted in 2014 to devise a plan for safer access.