Old Naxi ethnic minority Chinese women work as horse handlers in Lijiang

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