A lesson in determination

Xihexiu town is connected to the county seat via a 127-km road. It is one of the most precipitous sections of the Xinjiang-Xizang Highway with more than 60 bends, and it passes over a ridge of 3,500 meters above the sea level. The road is flanked by snowcapped peaks year-round. As the only route, it is the lifeline for the nine villages along the way, and underscores the isolation and the harsh conditions residents must overcome to access educational facilities.