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

By Katie Hunt, CNN

Updated 0846 GMT (1646 HKT) November 4, 2013

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
Photos: In pictures: Rural life in China
What's life like in a Chinese village? – 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.
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The migration of many working-age men to coastal areas for work means women and the elderly are often responsible for agricultural work.
Photos: In pictures: Rural life in China
What's life like in a Chinese village? – The migration of many working-age men to coastal areas for work means women and the elderly are often responsible for agricultural work.
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In addition to growing rice and vegetables, many families raise pigs.
Photos: In pictures: Rural life in China
What's life like in a Chinese village? – In addition to growing rice and vegetables, many families raise pigs.
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Like many young men in the village, Shi Tao is a migrant worker. He has returned home from the southern factory town of Dongguan for the birth of his first child but will soon leave again.
Photos: In pictures: Rural life in China
What's life like in a Chinese village? – Like many young men in the village, Shi Tao is a migrant worker. He has returned home from the southern factory town of Dongguan for the birth of his first child but will soon leave again.
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