From the Long March to a sea of roses: A new journey in Jiajin Mountain

At the foot of Jiajin Mountain in southwest China's Sichuan Province, where the Red Army once braved freezing temperatures and snow-covered peaks during the Long March, a different kind of journey is unfolding.

Chen Wanghui, known locally as the "Rose Sister," began growing roses more than a decade ago after noticing that wild boars would destroy the crops in her village but leave the roses untouched.

What began as a small experiment gradually grew into an industry. At elevations ranging from 2,400 to 3,600 meters, roses are now cultivated across dozens of villages in Xiaojin County. The industry involves more than 3,000 farming households and benefits tens of thousands of people, including those with disabilities.

Villagers carefully tend the roses, which are processed into products such as rose tea and essential oil, with some products even exported to European countries. The once-unlikely idea has turned into a source of income and new opportunities.

More than 90 years ago, the Red Army crossed these mountains in a struggle for survival. Today, at the foot of the same mountains, people are working to build better lives. The landscape has changed, yet the spirit of moving forward remains.