It was built as a labor of love by Liu Guojiang (left) and Xu Chaoqing. Photos Provided to China Daily

A five-decade old love story is celebrated by 6,000 stone steps on a 1,500-meter-high mountain in Gaotan village, Jiangjin district, Chongqing.

It was hand carved by Liu Guojiang over more than 52 years and is known as the "Ladder of Love".

Since 2001, when a group of adventurers were surprised to find the elderly couple and their Ladder of Love, it has attracted people from far and wide.

It was built as a labor of love by Liu Guojiang (left) and Xu Chaoqing. Photos Provided to China Daily

In 1951, 16-year-old Liu met 26-year-old Xu Chaoqing and fell in love. She was a widow with four children and in the remote village at that time it was taboo for a man to marry an older woman, let alone a widow.

However, Liu had made up his mind and the whole family moved to a secluded house in the mountains, so as to avoid criticism and discrimination from villagers.

The house was erected with hand-made tiles and bricks. And since they frequently had to climb up and down the mountain, Liu started hand-carving steps into the rocky ridges.

In 2006, the couple left their mountain retreat for the first time and an interview with China Central Television, after winning the award for China's greatest love story of the year.

In the interview, Xu recalled their harsh life in the first few years and said she often asked her husband if she was a burden.

"As long as we work hard enough, life will get better," Liu always answered.

In 2007, Liu passed away and Xu moved in with her sons, grieved and eventually died on Oct 30, this year. Her children buried her with Liu, according to Xu's wishes.

The local authority has decided to transform the couple's old house into a museum and the steps into a tourist site to commemorate their love story.

According to the publicity department of Jiangjin district, a new highway will make the attraction more accessible for visitors to explore.

In a Sina Weibo poll, however, 20,000 were against transforming Ladder of Love into a scenic spot, against 1,000 plus in support.

"The Ladder of Love is priceless," posted the weibo user nicknamed "Heart-On-The-Road". "I hope it can stay pure and stay away from business and money."

mawei@chinadaily.com.cn