From subway to the street
But for Yang Xian and her husband Zhang Chengliang, who come from the same county, the journey was not so smooth. The couple and their two children have begged in subways to pay debts and school fees.
However, on just their third day in Beijing, Yang was detained by police.
The family lost their house in an earthquake two years ago and a new one cost them more than 60,000 yuan. Their income from farming medicinal herbs was not enough to pay their debt. Learning from fellow townsfolk that begging in Beijing could be lucrative, the couple followed suit.
Zhang then avoided begging in the subway and asked for money on the street, earning about 30 yuan a day.
In addition to police, beggars also have to watch out for other threats. They try to avoid "hot" subway routes because they are frequented by "bullies who hit fellow beggars with sticks."
Horrified after being detained, Yang says she does not plan to return to Beijing to beg next year, and hopes her husband will find a job soon so she can stay home and continue farming. The incident has also scarred their daughter - the girl remained silent for several days after the incident.
Homework after begging
Yang and Zhang brought their daughter's summer holiday homework to Beijing and watched her complete it at the end of each day begging.
Zhang said his daughter is a good student, having "earned three certificates of merits this semester," while their kindergarten-aged son is also very bright, and will be "as outstanding as his sister in the future."
Liu Ying used to bring her homework with her while begging in Beijing, but she decided to drop out of school so she could stay home and take care of her brother.
Liu's dream is to become a fashion designer, while her little brother dreams of being an astronaut.
