Luo Dengping demonstrates the collection of swallow dung on a cliff, 108 meters above the ground, at the Getu River scenic area in Anshun City, Southwest China’s Guizhou Province. In the past, locals climbed up the cliffs to collect swallow dung to use as fertilizer but now the tradition exists mainly as a performance to entertain tourists. Luo, the only female member of the performance team, earns on average about 3,000 yuan ($460) a month although that can rise to 8,000 yuan during the peak tourist season. She can climb up the cliff without any protection in less than 20 minutes. (Photo/IC)
