Five years ago, 780 million yuan ($109 million at today's rates) was pumped into a project aimed at upgrading the route that linked the community with the county seat. Tunnels were built, slashing traveling time by seven hours and ensuring people could get through even in harsh weather.

Hundreds of millions of yuan was also used to build bridges, improve roads, set up a 4G cellular data service, train farmers to grow caoguo, a ginger-like plant, and relocate them from ramshackle thatched homes to new brick-built properties.

Mu Weiqing, Party chief of Bapo, an isolated hamlet, said, "Our caoguo sells well because it's grown in the natural environment." He added that there is a dire need for young people to help farmers increase sales online and through the numerous logistics services that have reached the valley.

Local government figures show Dulongjiang village's output value last year grew by 38 percent year-on-year, with per capita annual income reaching more than 6,000 yuan. Ten years ago, such income was only 900 yuan, far short of the national poverty line - 2,300 yuan a year, set in 2010 and adjusted for purchasing power parity.

The village is just one of many that have been lifted out of extreme poverty since 2012, when the central government stepped up alleviation efforts through targeted measures.

Under the renewed fight for a poverty-free society before 2021, the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party, officials are forbidden from merely handing out relief funds without finding ways of attaining a sustainable income.