Bulenggou village in Gansu province has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade, emerging from extreme poverty into a burgeoning center of economic and social development. Once characterized by rugged terrain, limited infrastructure, and scarce resources, the village’s progress reflects broader efforts by the Chinese government to eradicate poverty and modernize marginalized rural areas.
Located about an hour and a half from Lanzhou city in the Dongxiang autonomous county, Bulenggou was until 2013 isolated and underdeveloped. Residents lacked access to clean drinking water, relying on collected rainwater stored in underground wells, and agriculture was constrained by difficult growing conditions and a shortage of water. Annual per capita income at the time was around 1,600 yuan (approximately $220), well below the international poverty threshold. Housing was rudimentary, with two-room mud structures, and education services were minimal, offering only basic instruction in Chinese.
The village’s fortunes began to shift notably after Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited in 2013. His visit underscored the government’s commitment to addressing poverty by emphasizing infrastructure development, water supply improvements, and modernization of rural communities. The village now boasts paved roads, reliable electricity, and access to fresh water through new taps, symbolic of the improvements in daily life.
Livestock farming, a key source of income for villagers, has also been revolutionized through government-supported initiatives. A modern livestock farm near Bulenggou maintains strict hygiene and vaccination standards, operates under organized management, and connects producers directly to urban markets via an online platform. The insurance scheme provided to farmers compensates for losses, leading to stabilized incomes and increased production. The "Dongxiang Mutton" brand has gained popularity across China.
Education has expanded significantly, with children attending schools offering instruction up to the ninth grade in both Chinese and English. The government covers tuition and meal costs, and students have access to modern technologies including 4G and 5G internet. While integrating into broader educational frameworks, the local Dongxiang language is preserved within homes, maintaining cultural heritage amid modernization.
The village’s natural landscape remains well preserved and has become a draw for tourists, facilitated by new infrastructure such as the “Great Canyon” tourist road, including tunnels that improve accessibility. Visitor amenities include a sizable restaurant associated with the local school and souvenir shops that showcase agricultural products and handicrafts.
Since 2013, Bulenggou’s annual per capita income has increased more than sevenfold, rising to 13,120 yuan. Local officials attribute this progress to strategic government policies that combine technological advancement with attention to cultural preservation and community needs.
Bulenggou’s experience is viewed as a model for poverty alleviation and rural development in China, demonstrating how targeted investment and political will can lead to comprehensive social and economic improvements. Its transformation exemplifies the country’s broader drive to modernize historically disadvantaged regions through a blend of innovation, infrastructure, and education.