Insights about what matters most in life from 11 people more than 100 years old in Hezhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Reporter Zhang Li, dialect translator Li Ziyu and photographer Huang Xiaotao tell the stories.

Pan Yuying, 105

Self-reliance, hard work and clear thinking are key to a good life and longevity, Pan Yuying of Huangyao said. As a young mother, she was shamed for having only a daughter. Pan is blunt: "I don't really care about it, actually. I know people try to make themselves feel better by nagging about others' pain." She always walked her own path, including getting a job as a waitress in Huangyao at age 99.

Grandson Lin Gongping, 57, spoke of Pan's influence in his life:

"We had better not be confined to secular ideas about happiness and shame. We should find out the truth by ourselves."