A farmer's passion for traditional opera

For many years, she fed on yams and cornmeal every day. A huge mountain separates the village from the nearest town, and Guo would have to walk for up to eight hours just to buy supplies.

In 1990, farmers made 328 yuan a year in the county, according to the local government. Guo was 28 years old that year. Her husband was the only one making money, and she had to attend to her two sons and daughter.

"Life was really, really hard," she said.

As China's anti-poverty campaign gained steam, Loufan authorities began to bolster the local agriculture and rural tourism, liberating people like Guo from hardship.

Last year, the county officially lifted itself out of poverty.

With improving conditions, Guo has more time to take up her singing hobby again. This time around, she has moved her stage from the open air to the Internet.

"I saw someone live-streaming on their phone once, and I quickly learned how to do it," she said. "I used to live for others, but for the first time in my life, I feel like living for myself by live-streaming myself singing."

To improve her performance, Guo spent about 7,000 yuan on equipment, including a microphone, a stereo system and a smartphone.

"I perform in my costumes for my followers every day," she said. "They feel like family."

Sometimes she sings about Taoist stories, shares anecdotes about historical royal families and advocates benevolence.