'Longevity village' nestled in Hechi's karst peaks

Elder Qin Xiuyue chats with reporters about daily life. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

Neidoutun, a hamlet in Si'an village, Huaiqun town of Luocheng Mulam autonomous county in Hechi, is embraced by lush karst peaks.

Home to 96 households and 295 residents, it lives up to its nickname as a "longevity village", boasting three centenarians and five seniors aged 90-99.

During a visit, 102-year-old Liao Fenglian appeared healthy and was even preparing her own meals. "She manages daily tasks independently, with good vision but some slight hearing loss," her son Liang Xiaoguang mentioned. The elderly woman keeps up a steady routine, strolling slowly in the courtyard and the nearby playground.

Qin Xiuyue, 104, cheerfully welcomed visitors while serving corn porridge. "We elders love it – we cook a pot daily," she said with a smile, reminiscing about tougher days: "No money for medicine, and even just plain porridge was scarce. Now, we live in spacious buildings with caring children who fulfill every wish."

Situated in Luocheng National Geopark, the hamlet features karst landforms that form a "natural oxygen bar" with high negative ion levels. Locals prefer light diets, including boiled chicken, duck, and coarse grains such as corn, sweet potatoes, and beans, with elders eating in moderation.

Si'an village reinforces Party leadership by having officials frequently visit elders to help with elderly certification, enhancing their sense of achievement and happiness. Meanwhile, stories of longevity persist, illustrating a harmonious relationship between humans and nature.