Chinese children tackle 70m cliff climb on school route

A child climbs one of the ladders which stand against a vertical cliff on their way to school. Credit: RTV

Children in China face a dangerous journey to school using ladders which stand against a vertical cliff in the mountains, 70-metres above a deep pit.

Yu Qiyun, 14, and his younger sister attend a school that lies 35 kilometres away from their home in Zhangjiawan Village, in Sangzhi County, Hunan Province.

The two wooden ladders they have to pass measure about 20 meters and they serve as the only way out to the outside world.

Yu said he was determined to study hard so he could go on to earn enough money to build a road for his family and fellow villagers.