The Dengba are the smallest and least known ethnic group in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. There are around 1,600 members living in Tibet's southeastern Chayu County.

Decades ago, the Dengba people survived by hunting barefoot in the vegetation between the Himalayas and the Hengduan Mountains at an altitude of about 1,000 meters above sea level. They lived in two-story wooden shacks, with the families living upstairs and livestock downstairs. They recorded important yearly events and dates by tying knots on ropes.

Today, most of the Dengba people have moved into terraced river valleys. But there are still some who continue to follow the traditional lifestyle of their ancestors deep in the mountains.

Hu Long, 26, is one of the 1,600 Dengba ethnic people in the county. His father went out hunting in the mountains in 2002 but never came back. Hu lived with his mother and three sisters after his father went missing. Today, most Dengba people have moved down from the upper mountains to pursue better lives, but not Hu's grandfather.

"My grandpa told me that the old shack up in the mountain is the only thing that my dad left behind. He misses my dad. He always talks to me about my dad. He said that my dad came back to him once in a dream. So, we just let him stay as he likes, and anyway, it's very convenient now to visit my grandpa, thanks to the newly built road," Hu said.

Hu Long lives at the foot of the mountain in Xiani Village with his wife and three children. Every other day, he drives up the mountain to see his grandparents.

In recent years, the village has built some brick houses for residents, including the elderly couple who've visited their 50-square-meter house a couple of times, but never moved in.

Although life is convenient in the village, Hu's grandparents still love the peace and tranquility up in the mountains. They've gotten used to it. And they love sitting around the bonfire in their shack.

"It's comfortable living here. The new houses down the hill are good, but I don't want to leave this place. I love walking around barefoot here, I don't wear shoes unless I need to go someplace else," the granddad said.

As the only young man in his family, Hu says it's his duty to take care of his wife, his children, his mom, his three sisters, and his grandparents, as well as his father's brother. 

"I'm the backbone of my family. I definitely feel under pressure sometimes, but my life is good as long as I remain diligent."