The Taihang Mountains are steeped in cultural heritage and have been the birthplace of numerous heroes. It spans across Beijing, Hebei province, Shanxi province, and Henan province. During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), the Yang family warriors famously defended their homeland with unparalleled loyalty and bravery, earning a lasting reputation for their heroism.

Landmarks like the Red Flag Canal, a manmade waterway carved into the mountains, and the "cliffside road" etched into the sheer rock faces, embody the spirit of devotion and perseverance of the people in this region.

Photographer Yang Jianchuan, who grew up in a small village in Yuncheng of Shanxi province, and now resides in Chengdu, was inspired to document the resilient spirit of the Taihang Mountain inhabitants after several visits to his hometown.