Meet China's Real 'Spiderwoman' From the Miao Ethnic Group

Luo Dengping is a 40-year old woman from the Miao ethnic group in China's Guizhou province. She lives in a small village located on the gate of the Getu River Scenic Spot and specializes in organizing rock-climbing tours for tourists coming from within China and overseas. 

This has been her passion and professional occupation for over ten years.

“Because of COVID, we’ve had to pause our tours from February to April,” she told reporters, “but also because of renovation works that were taking place in the area.”

To the Miao people living in the region, those who are good at rock climbing are often nicknamed “Spiderman” or “Spiderwoman”. This specific skill has been passed on from generation to generation, deriving from old traditions for which Miao people would carry the coffins of their deceased ancestors to the top of a cliff.

As you might have guessed, Luo’s father was an excellent climber, and has taught his daughter everything he knew about techniques and practices.

“He was reluctant to teaching me for a while because of how dangerous it is to climb with nothing but your bare hands,” Luo added. “This sport needs courage. Every time we climb, it’s crucial that we assess our surroundings and our own body condition. Our life depends on it.”

‘Climb based on your own physical capabilities. Be bold yet careful.’ That’s a motto Luo has learned from her father over the years and that she teaches her own students. She was first hired as a “Spiderwoman” by local authorities soon after she got married at the age of 20, and has devoted most of her career to the profession ever since.

She works with five other men to provide such tours, for which they first need to row bamboo rafts into the caves, where thousands of swallow nests live. 

The most famous attraction is the 116-meter Swallow Cave.

Then they climb the rocky walls up to a height of around 100 meters. After that, they return to the starting point. The whole process takes no more than 20 minutes.

Have you been rock climbing before around China? 

Let us know about your thrilling experience in the comment section below!

Editor: Crystal H

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