When many college graduates choose to pursue a career in the big city, Lin Ying decided to start a little smaller, with a tea business in her hometown — Gulou village in Dongkou county, Central China's Hunan province, after finishing her university studies in 2016. (Photos: VCG)

She has focused on updating the local traditional tea industry with new technologies. By improving fellow villagers' skills in tea planting and manufacturing, and expanding sales through e-commerce, Lin has helped more than 200 rural households shake off poverty.

Lin Ying, second from right, purchases tea from a poverty-stricken household in Gulou village.

Lin Ying makes hand-made tea in Gulou village.

Lin Ying, third from right, teaches fellow villagers how to make tea in Gulou village.

Lin Ying, right, prunes tea branches while managing her tea garden in Gulou village.