Hengmaohu village in Central China's Hubei province is well-known for its natural apiary by a cliff. Beekeepers walk on the edge of the cliff as easily as walking on level ground.

Zou Chengqing, a 33-year-old beekeeper, left home 13 years ago to earn money in Beijing. But in recent years he returned to his hometown to raise bees.

He works with his father raising bees, collecting honey and selling the honey to businesses outside the village. He can now earn approximately 60,000 yuan ($9,323) a year.

Zou now has almost 30 boxes of bees in front of his home and on the edge of the cliff. In winter, he will take some of the boxes back home to keep the bees warm. He said he walks several times a day between his home and the cliff, which are about 600 meters apart.

"I've walked on the edge of the cliff for more than three years. I've got used to it," he said.

He said he feels satisfied to be able to work at home.

“I can take care of my family and develop a business on my own. Thanks to the natural resources, we can make a better living here than elsewhere,” he said.

Qiu Weiyi contributed to this story.