Loneliness takes its toll on village life as masses head to the cities

The pace of urbanization in China during the past 25 years has seen the decline of many villages. As people have drifted away to urban areas, those left behind feel lonely and isolated.

Wang Minghou, 57, is a farmer who has lived all of his life in Gedongmao, a village in Hengshan county, Shaanxi province. His village was once home to more than 200 people, but only five remain. He rejects the idea of moving to an urban area.

"We do not want to live outside of our village because our roots are in the mountains," Wang said.