Ethnic minority village opens in China (24 images)

Old Naxi ethnic minority Chinese women work as horse handlers for tourists who wish to ride around the fields outside of Lijiang, northern Yunnan Province, on October 1, 2012. China recognizes 55 ethnic minority groups within the country in addition to the Han majority. With over 25 ethnic minorities living in Yunnan, they make up about 34 percent of its population. All are hanging on their cultural identity as "progress" is accompanied by a larger, more powerful Han majority. UPI/Stephen Shaver

A Naxi Chinese ethnic minority woman some crops near her village in Lijiang, northern Yunnan Province, on September 30, 2012. More than 100 million Chinese farmers will move to cities by 2020, posing huge challenges and risks for urban planners and already stretched social welfare systems, according to a new government report. UPI/Stephen Shaver

An elderly Naxi Chinese ethnic minority woman heads out to her farmland to harvest some crops in Lijiang, northern Yunnan Province, on September 30, 2012. Income inequality continues to grow in China as rural poverty persists despite rapid urban growth. China raised the poverty line to $1 per person per day in 2011, increasing the country's poverty-stricken population from 26.99 million to 128 million. UPI/Stephen Shaver

A Naxi Chinese ethnic minority man carries a bushel of corn back to his village in Lijiang, northern Yunnan Province, on September 30, 2012. More than 100 million Chinese farmers will move to cities by 2020, posing huge challenges and risks for urban planners and already stretched social welfare systems, according to a new government report. UPI/Stephen Shaver