Chongqing - Fourteen years ago, a candid photo captured by university student Xu Kangping resonated across China. The image, taken in Chongqing, showed a porter, known locally as a “bangbang”, carrying a heavy load on his back while holding his young son’s hand. 

The contrast of strength and tenderness struck a chord with millions, symbolizing resilience and hope. Today, the photographer revisited the family, creating a heartfelt reunion that bridges time.  

In 2010, Ran Guanghui and his son captured hearts across the nation with this moving photo. (Photo/Xu Kangping)

Revisiting the iconic “bangbang” family

In Chongqing, “bangbang” refers to a kind of porter who carries goods using bamboo poles—a job emblematic of hard work and determination. The term, derived from the sound of bamboo poles knocking together, has become a cultural symbol of the city’s resilience and industrious spirit.

In the now-famous 2010 photo, Ran Guanghui is shirtless, bearing a large green sack on his back while holding the hand of his four-year-old son, Ran Junchao, as they descend a steep staircase. The image, described as “carrying his family on his shoulders, holding the future in his hand,” became a symbol of unyielding paternal love.

Photographer Xu Kangping, who is now a father himself, recently returned to Chongqing to reconnect with the Ran family. The reunion unfolded at the same location where the original photo was taken. “It felt like a moment of time travel,” Xu reflected.  

In 2024, Ran Guanghui and his son recreated this timeless photo at the same location 14 years later. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Back in 2010, Xu, then a university student, had spent a month documenting the lives of “bangbang” workers. The original photo, taken by chance, was a product of a brief yet powerful encounter. “The father’s composure, the son’s innocence, and their unspoken bond moved me deeply,” Xu recalls. Over the years, Xu has maintained a close relationship with the Ran family, traveling annually from Hangzhou to Chongqing to visit them. To him, Ran Guanghui is not just a subject of his photography but a lifelong friend.  

A father’s determination and a son’s growth  

In Xu’s eyes, little has changed about Ran Guanghui. “He’s still the same hardworking 'bangbang' as before,” Xu notes. However, Ran’s tools have evolved; he now uses an electric cart alongside his bamboo pole, allowing him to carry heavier loads. His son, Ran Junchao, has grown into an 18-year-old preparing for college entrance exams. “This year, I noticed for the first time that he’s taller than his father!” Xu remarked with a smile.  

The father’s life remains simple and steadfast. Each day, he leaves home early, works tirelessly, and returns to cook dinner, watch TV, and rest. This unwavering routine has enabled him to save enough money to buy a home and move closer to his dream of giving his family a better life.  

The 2010 photo brought Ran brief fame, drawing media attention and occasional selfie requests from strangers. But for Ran, little has changed. “Famous or not, I still earn a living with my strength,” he says humbly.  

Nearby vendors describe Ran as the most reliable “bangbang” in the Chaotianmen market. “Rain or shine, he’s here almost every day of the year,” says one shop owner. “If you call him, he’ll always show up.”  

Ran’s son, Ran Junchao, deeply admires his father’s resilience. On school forms, he proudly lists his father’s occupation as “porter,” saying, “My dad’s hard work and sweat raised me. He’s the person I respect the most in the world.”  

Over the years, Xu Kangping has visited Ran's family almost annually from Hangzhou. This photo shows Xu and the Ran family, father and son. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

The story of Ran Guanghui and his son mirrors the lives of countless ordinary workers whose dedication and perseverance build the foundation of society. As the city of Chongqing continues to develop, the number of “bangbang” workers has gradually declined, or their work has evolved with modern tools and methods. Yet, like Ran, ordinary people, through hard work and resilience, are living better lives and witnessing the remarkable transformation of their city.  

(Shangyou News and People's Daily contributed the Chinese version of this report.)