Enger-Us village – located in Alshaa Right Banner in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region – has witnessed significant development of its infrastructure over the past decade, according to local media reports.
The village has the largest area in the banner, covering 5,888 square kilometers but having a population of only 203 people in 95 households.
"Relying on the advantages of the road network, we opened a supermarket by the roadside to provide convenience for passing vehicles, people and herdsmen, while increasing our own incomes, generating a total annual income of about 200,000 yuan ($28,927)," one villager said.
Now there are more households with more people living there for a long time. The villagers work mainly in the camel industry, as well as planting cynomorium and cistanche – important tonic herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine.
There are also supermarkets and restaurants that have been opened by the roadside – representing another way for the local herdsmen to increase their incomes.