One family has guarded northern border for generations

Tumen's grandfather was one of the first local herdsmen to join the Communist Party of China. At the time, the task of patrolling the border was heavy, but the grandfather stepped up to the challenge and applied to join the guards.

In 1985, when Tumen was 18, he rode to a town 20 kilometers away to sign up for militia selection. The following year, he won first place in a militia competition by excellent shooting and was selected to join the civilian force.

During his service, he was given the third-class personal merit award. After Tumen's retirement, he took over the responsibility of guarding the border from his elderly father and officially became the third generation guard in the family.

From boundary monument No 1433 to monument No 1441, Tumen has walked the 60-km borderline countless times. For decades, he has served, rain or shine, and insisted on daily patrols, exhausting eight horses and wearing out six motorcycles.