Grocer carries village's hopes on his back

To many tourists seeking tranquillity in Yuejiazhai, Shanxi province, the mountain village's only grocery store probably looks more like a small antique shop.

Located in Pingshun county, the roadside stall is managed by 75-year-old Yue Wanzeng. It has remained unchanged since 1975, when the villagers volunteered to build the little flagstone store for Yue, who has run it ever since.

Outdated enamel cups and thermos flasks are placed on the shelves along with daily necessities such as toothpaste, and portraits of late leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai hang on blackened walls. Yue calculates the bills on an abacus.