In a riverside county in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, ferry operator Cao Lifang has helped keep a decades-old Yangtze River ferry alive, turning what was once a fading rural transport link into a lifeline for elderly farmers, aided by online supporters and local volunteers.
Around 6:00 am each day, Cao begins welcoming elderly farmers aboard a small ferry on the Yangtze River, many of them carrying back baskets filled with vegetables and fruit for nearby markets.
For many riverside villagers in Zhongxian County, the boat is more than a way to cross the river. Known locally as the "back-basket ferry," it has long connected rural communities with markets, hospitals and schools.
"When I see them turn what they've grown into money for their families, it makes me truly happy," Cao told China Global Television Network (CGTN).
Cao and a neighbor took over the ferry in 2013 to make a living. At the time, she earned about 2,000 yuan a month (around 300 U.S. dollars), roughly what she could make by working away from home.
But the ferry's future became uncertain after a new highway opened in 2018, sharply reducing passenger traffic. As many local ferry routes gradually disappeared, Cao and her partner chose to stay on.
They also kept the fare unchanged at 12 yuan (about 1.8 U.S. dollars) for the roughly two-hour trip.
"We felt that it wasn't just us who were struggling. For them, earning a yuan isn't easy, and most of them are elderly, so we never thought about raising the price," Cao said.
The ferry found an unexpected second life about four years ago, when Cao and her fellow operator began posting videos online to document what they thought might be its final days.
The videos introduced millions of viewers to the elderly farmers and their daily journeys across the Yangtze. Through livestreams, online followers began buying local produce and, in some cases, donating it to people in need.
One stranger even contacted Cao and offered 100,000 yuan (over 14,700 U.S. dollars).
"I was completely shocked. At first, I was even a little scared. But he told me, 'Don't feel pressured. This money is to buy ferry tickets for the villagers.' Based on our regular fares, it covered about 67 days of free rides," Cao said.
The old ferry was replaced months ago by a larger, better-equipped boat. Free breakfast is now prepared for passengers every morning, and for many elderly farmers, the trip has become less tiring.
"I like taking this boat because I can sit comfortably. On the bus, I always have to stand, and it's not convenient when I carry a back basket," one passenger said.
"The service is good, and the boat owners treat us warmly," another passenger said.
"Today, vegetables that can't be sold at the market can be bought by her online followers. It's great!" said a third passenger.
Support for the farmers has also extended beyond the ferry. At the destination dock, local government employees, including police officers, volunteer to help carry heavy baskets to the market. Some baskets weigh 35-40 kilograms.
Cao said the acts of service she saw from local volunteers, many of them Communist Party of China (CPC) members, prompted her to submit an application to join the Party. Earlier this year, she became a probationary member.
"Many of the people who came to help were Party members. Watching what they did made me feel I should learn from them. So without hesitation, I submitted my application to join the Party," Cao said.
She said the experience has given her a stronger sense of responsibility, not only to keep the ferry running but also to support the wider rural community along the river.
"In my spare time, I'll continue visiting elderly people and children in rural communities, and I'll keep helping local farmers sell their specialty products," Cao said.
What began as a way for Cao to support her own family has become a wider service for villagers along the Yangtze. She says she plans to keep the ferry running as long as people on both sides of the river still need it.
Yangtze ferrywoman keeps rural lifeline afloat in Chongqing
