Villagers' prospects

Residents of Huajiang town have a love-hate relationship with bridges. In 1961, the newly built Huajiang Bridge, as part of Provincial Highway 214, connected Anshun with Qianxinan prefecture. Huajiang, which is situated between Guiyang and Xingyi, ushered in a period of prosperity.

"Many visitors passed through Huajiang. We had about 130 restaurants whose income could reach 2,000 yuan ($281) per day per family, not to mention hotels," the town's Party secretary Yang Xiuyun said.

However, the Beipanjiang Bridge, built in 2003, changed things for the worse by offering a faster long-distance route. After it was built, most vehicles bypassed the town, and the number of restaurants dropped to about 30, Yang said.

Two decades later, the Huajiang Canyon Bridge, a major part of the Liuzhi-Anlong Highway — a provincial expressway currently under construction that features an entrance and exit to the town, will bring travelers back for accommodation. Many residents now sense a business opportunity.

Liao Tiangui, 46, deputy director of Wuli village in Huajiang town, said that more than 100 young migrant workers have returned to join in the catering sector.