Shanshiping Village: A History of Healing
Shanshiping Village—a story of healing, dignity, and renewal.
It was regarded by society as a place of isolation. A group of leprosy patients was forced to leave their homes and take root in a forsaken land. Yet, in this forgotten corner, countless resilient lives took shape. With unwavering will, they reclaimed the meaning of life. Across the world, similar forces of resilience lie hidden, waiting to be seen, heard, and remembered.
Leprosy reached its peak in China in the first half of the 20th century. At that time, there were no effective treatments, and patients often suffered nerve damage leading to deformities in their hands and feet, facial ulcers, or even blindness. These irreversible sequelae caused widespread fear and stigma. Many were infected as teenagers and considered “filth,” forced to separate from their families and move to remote leprosy villages. Shanshiping Village was one such place: isolated from the outside world, yet the only shelter and home for its residents. Despite the shadow of illness, the villagers persevered, nurturing both dignity and hope in the face of hardship.
In 1953, the patients built their own homes in Shanshiping Village, including the stacked-wood houses, thatched huts, and timber-and-tile houses that have now been restored. These homes had no windows and, by the 1980s, were nearly collapsing. Each room housed 2–3 people, and some five-room houses had no partitions, forcing ten people to live together and cook fires indoors under harsh conditions.
Many leprosy patients’ hands were deformed by the disease, with missing fingertips and joint stiffness.
The wooden steamers, washbasins, bowls, spoons, tables, and chairs were all crafted by the patients themselves.
Hope and Healing: The Medical Journey
Back when advanced medical equipment and effective treatments were unavailable, treating leprosy was extremely challenging, and many patients were unable to manage daily life. Led by Dr. Li Guike, the dedicated medical team remained in the village, providing not only basic treatment but also comprehensive rehabilitation. They guided patients in caring for their eyes, hands, and feet, supplied protective equipment, and performed complex surgeries. Through prevention, treatment, and correction, they improved patients’ quality of life, restoring both confidence and dignity. Even under limited resources, their steadfast commitment brought renewed hope and warmth to the village.”
In June 1956, Huang Shengdong, who had trained in medical care at Kunming Jinma Sanatorium, became the village’s attending physician. He established a clinic, trained patients to serve as health workers, and provided treatment for common illnesses.
Medical instruments used by doctors during diagnosis and treatment.
Some commonly used drugs for leprosy treatment.
In 1980, the Eryuan County Center for Disease Control officially established the Department of Dermatology and Leprosy Prevention, taking full responsibility for leprosy control. Doctors from the department served in shifts at Shanshiping Village to carry out their work.
Surgical instruments used by doctors during operations.
Doctors’ handwritten medical notes.
Operating tables from the 20th century.
Dr. Tang Xin from the Guangdong Handakangfu Association performed cataract surgery for patients.
Life and Dignity: Rebuilding Community
Despite the lingering effects of their illness, villagers cultivated land, crafted tools, built houses and bridges, and even established a communal dining hall to provide daily meals. They established classrooms so their children could receive an education; fourteen children of recovered patients went on to attend university. The village developed a well-organized system of self-governance, with clear divisions of labor and mutual support. Amid adversity, the villagers demonstrated remarkable tenacity and optimism, allowing dignity and hope to take root and flourish in this land.
Shanshiping Village initially had no farmland, so villagers had to clear land for cultivation by themselves. They forged their own farming tools, including hoes, digging bars, axes, and sickles. By 1981, the village had reclaimed approximately 49 acres of farmland, planting crops such as corn, wheat, broad beans, and rapeseed.
Before 1986, Shanshiping Village operated a large collective dining system, with groups for production, gardening, livestock, procurement, and cooking. Daily life largely revolved around the dining hall, greatly strengthening community cohesion. Many of the dining hall’s utensils were handcrafted by the villagers.
Dr. Li Guike noted that the biggest challenge for the village was that the descendants had no access to schooling. He sought support tirelessly and eventually established an elementary school within the village, giving the children an opportunity to leave the mountains.
On the left of the photo is Mr. Wang Zhongyuan, who entered the village in 1979 and was cured in 1990. From 1996 to 2007, he taught at Shanshiping Village Elementary School. In the photo, he is directing students performing shows for the patients.
Due to deformed toes, many patients had difficulty walking and relied on purchased or homemade walking sticks for mobility.
In the early days of the village, all transportation of goods relied entirely on human or horse power. In 1982, the villagers raised funds themselves and dug a 3-kilometer road by hand.
The steamers left over from the large collective dining hall were all crafted by the villagers.
Craft and Culture: The Imprint of Memory
Many villagers had been highly skilled craftsmen before their illness. Though their hands and feet were no longer agile, they continued to craft everyday items and tools, preserving both their livelihoods and memories. Shanshiping Village is home to residents from multiple ethnic groups, including Bai, Han, and Hui, each with distinct living customs. Within the village, they all preserved their unique ways of life. Regardless of the environment, the villagers relied on their craftsmanship and cultural traditions to sustain daily life, ensuring that their culture and lifestyle continue to thrive in this land.
The villager is making a winnowing basket.
A fully handcrafted wooden grain winnower that is used to separate grain from chaff and impurities.
Large wooden chests are neatly arranged, all handcrafted by the villagers. Each chest contains a lifetime’s possessions and symbolizes countless lives lost.
The Duomu House, unique to the Bai people of Xishan, features a symmetrical layout that combines practicality with ethnic characteristics, including beds, storage cabinets, tables, and a stove.
A Tribute and a New Beginning
Through years of collective effort, effective treatments for leprosy are now available in China. Former patients have recovered, and the disease has been eliminated within the country. Both local and national authorities have issued numerous commendations and letters of recognition, acknowledging the dedication of medical teams and the remarkable resilience of the villagers. Today, Shanshiping Village serves as an educational base, attracting students, party members, and visitors from across society, turning history into a living classroom. The villagers’ stories trace a journey from suffering to renewal, illuminating the fortitude of the human spirit and carrying the light of hope to this day.
