As the relocation began, they gradually bid farewell to their homes. They tore down the beams of old houses to build new furniture, knelt and burned incense to pay respects in front of their forefathers' graves, drank Miao wine and sang traditional songs before embarking on their lives outside the mountains.

Just before last year's Spring Festival, they began moving into their new houses in Aizhai town. With gray tiles and white walls, the houses stand neatly beneath the towering Aizhai Bridge — a 1,176-meter sweep of steel and cable some 355 meters above the floor of the Dehang Grand Canyon.

Yang's family gathered at his new home for the Chinese New Year with tables laden with Miao cured meat and sour fish soup. "Now I can see the bridge as soon as I step out," he said.