Leaving one's old home and starting a new life elsewhere is often difficult. North China's Shanxi Province lies in a mountainous area which is home to many poverty-stricken households. In order to shake off poverty, many have left and started life anew elsewhere. But how are the locals who remained taking on the challenge?

In Kelan County of north China's Shanxi Province, over 100 villages were scattered in the deep mountains, a contiguous and extremely poor area.

Most villages each had less than 50 residents. Transportation, drinking water, education and medical service were all barely available. Over half of the houses were dangerously built.

Local government believed relocating the people was the best way to tackle poverty. The arduous task started in June of 2017, involving 3,000 government staff and more than 4,000 villagers.

Those involved said convincing them to move was the hardest part. "Nobody in the city would hire people at our age,"and "We're illiterate. We can only stay here," were among what many local villagers said.

Government worker Sun Yongping felt discouraged when many villagers refused to move. But township government officials pleaded with him. "It should be done no matter how difficult it is and you must convince them," said the township head.

Sun and his colleagues explained all the benefits of relocation to ease villager concerns. For example, they would get various subsidies, and had no need to pay extra money for their new apartments.

Eventually, it took four months to convince all the villagers to move. Zhao Jia Wa village was among the first to move.

Selling livestock, sweeping tombs of their deceased loved ones, cleaning the yard for the last time and picking up every grain from the ground, they said farewell to their old life.

Wang Sannyu, a resident of the Zhao Jia Wa village, felt sad to leave, saying: "I've lived here for forty four years. Shabby as my house is, it's hard to leave."

However, all the villagers have moved into new homes now. The new residential area is less than an hour away by car. Liu Fuyou and his wife’s new home is around 80 square meters.

"I don't want to go back to my old house anymore. Life here is so much better than in the village. Everything is convenient," said Liu.

Kelan County officially announced this year it has gotten out of poverty. But for the local government, employment is another new challenge. They have offered various favorable policies to bring in new factories, creating lots of job opportunities. So far, 78% of the relocated villagers have found jobs.

"Our job isn't finished yet. We still have to do more to boost the local economy. We hope to create more job opportunities by setting up some home service companies and also developing the local tourism industry," Zhao Lisheng, Director of Poverty Alleviation Office of Kelan County told CGTN.

And now in the area where the Zhao Jia Wa village used to be, after demolition of the villagers' old houses, those previously scattered lands have been reclaimed for large-scale cultivation of economic forests. These trees have brought more income to the villagers and also turned the barren mountains green.

For 73-year-old Liu, with benefits from his past land and government subsidies, he still works to clean the street. He now earns nearly 3,000 yuan a month, more than twice his old income.

When asked why he still keeps working, Liu explained: "A Happy life is created by hands. Our government has helped us get rid of poverty. Now it's time we make our own efforts and keep up with good work."