Human zoos and disappearing languages: The plight of China's minorities

By Katie Hunt, CNN

Updated 0846 GMT (1646 HKT) November 4, 2013

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Despite China's economic boom over the past decade, rural life has changed little in the remote village of Dali in the country's southwestern Guizhou province.
Photos: In pictures: Rural life in China
What's life like in a Chinese village? – Despite China's economic boom over the past decade, rural life has changed little in the remote village of Dali in the country's southwestern Guizhou province.
Hide Caption
1 of 12
While the houses in Dali village have electricity, not all families can afford appliances like washing machines. Incomes, on average, are less than a third of those in cities.
Photos: In pictures: Rural life in China
What's life like in a Chinese village? – While the houses in Dali village have electricity, not all families can afford appliances like washing machines. Incomes, on average, are less than a third of those in cities.
Hide Caption
2 of 12
Rural schools are often run down and under funded but Dali's children got a new elementary school building in 2007. According to the Rural China Education Foundation, nearly half of rural children in some areas don't go to high school.
Photos: In pictures: Rural life in China
What's life like in a Chinese village? – Rural schools are often run down and under funded but Dali's children got a new elementary school building in 2007. According to the Rural China Education Foundation, nearly half of rural children in some areas don't go to high school.
Hide Caption
3 of 12
Propaganda slogans are commonplace in Chinese villages to encourage people to comply with government policies. This one reads: State family planning policy connects everyone. Rewards and subsidies warm the heart of the people."
Photos: In pictures: Rural life in China
What's life like in a Chinese village? – Propaganda slogans are commonplace in Chinese villages to encourage people to comply with government policies. This one reads: State family planning policy connects everyone. Rewards and subsidies warm the heart of the people."
Hide Caption
4 of 12
Like most of southern China, rice is a staple crop. Grown on terraced paddy fields that surround Dali, three mu, equivalent to about half an acre, can feed a household.