"Look at the Miao dress Jiao Jiao is wearing. We used to make this just for ourselves, but now we have developed an industry and sell our special clothes to those outside."

The following day, I am treated to a special workshop on miaoxiu, or traditional Miao embroidery. It is intricate and painstaking work, carefully crafting exquisite and colorful designs of flora and fauna, using nothing but needle and thread.

Despite my numerous attempts and failings, my teacher is patient and caring, something that I had noticed all too often during my stay in Shibadong. The Miao culture, its people and their welcoming nature will not leave me any time soon.

Upon my departure from Shibadong, Jiao's leaving gift for me was a local Miao ethnic song that roughly translates as: "Welcome to my home. Please enjoy our wine, our company, our friendship. Relish the sweetness of our air."

The long journey back to Beijing, as all long journeys, fills me with a vacant and pensive mood.

But I can always think back to my short time in Shibadong to lift my spirits.

(In 2020, China aims to achieve its goal of eradicating poverty in the country. From 2013 to 2019, 93 million people living in rural China have been lifted out of poverty.)

We would like to express our deep gratitude to Xiao Shihui and He Zheng of the Publicity Department of the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture Party Committee, and Zhou Shushen of the Publicity Department of the Huayuan County Party Committee for their support.