'Yimeng spirit' still inspires

The highway has been instrumental in transporting villagers out of poverty.

"Before, we sold ginger by carrying the crop to market, but the money we earned could only cover the cost of some salt and oil. Now, however, our ginger is being transported all over the country. Buyers now come to our village to purchase our ginger," says Sun Hongwang, a villager from Sanshangou, adding the highway also brings tourists to the village to experience rural life.

Sanshangou was named as a city-level demonstration village of rural tourism in 2016.

"Inspired by the Yimeng spirit, we are creating a much better life," says Sun.