At the end of the tour, she leads her group back carefully, checking for icy patches and guiding them around slick spots.

Below, the old winding mountain road is still there, folded against the mountain like a silk ribbon. The treetop police post is gone, and traffic along the old highway has thinned significantly, according to local authorities.

Today, the Aizhai Bridge, together with the Dehang Grand Canyon and local Miao villages, forms a tourist attraction.

Drums greet visitors in rhythm with centuries of tradition in these ethnic villages, while extreme sports on the bridge draw thrill-seekers from around the world.

Along the mountain roads, cycling races and marathons now unfold against a backdrop of sheer cliffs and emerald peaks.

The steady flow of visitors has also fueled local businesses. Restaurants and guesthouses line the approach roads, catering to growing demand.

It has helped open the relatively secluded Xiangxi prefecture and attract many workingage residents who had left to return home.