A peaceful community hides a dangerous secret. Locals in Zisiqiao used to make a living from farming and fishing a few decades ago. They currently raise snakes, including pythons, vipers, and cobras. There are three million snakes in all, which means that the residents are about 3,000 to one outnumbered by the serpents. When you walk into one of the village's more than 100 snake farms, you'll witness snakes crawling around in little wooden boxes heaped on top of each other.

During the summer, you may observe concrete pits filled with some of the world's most deadly snakes. The so-called "five-step snake" is particularly feared in this area.

The snake is so deadly, say villagers, that if you are bitten the furthest you will get is five steps before dying.

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This Lunar New Year brings in the Year of the Snake

The reptiles are reared for their meat, which is sold to restaurants, and their body parts, which are highly sought after in traditional Chinese medicine.

With the Chinese Year of the Snake set to begin – Chinese New Year is this weekend – residents are anticipating a prosperous year ahead.

"We believe our company's revenues will treble in the year of the snake," says Yang Hongchang, a 61-year-old farmer who pioneered snake rearing in the area decades ago.

"May the snake bring us pleasure and success."

Medicine and food

Mr Yang claims he began catching wild snakes to treat a major disease he had as a child.

He turned his hand to breeding the snakes after spotting a commercial potential and immediately made a little fortune. Others in the village then followed in his footsteps. With the Chinese Year of the Snake set to begin – Chinese New Year is this weekend – residents are anticipating a prosperous year ahead.

Snake raising entails a number of evident dangers. Mr Yang claims to know of one individual who died as a result of a venomous snake bite.

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Consuming snakes and snake parts is believed by some to boost health

However, due to increased demand for snakes, the previously impoverished community of Zisiqiao has become rather prosperous, with many inhabitants earning tens of thousands of dollars.

"Domesticating snakes requires experience and technique," says Mr Yang, whose company is now worth millions of dollars.

His organization does research into improving snake diets as well as procedures for incubating eggs in order to improve survival rates.

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Yang Hongchang sells his goods both domestically and overseas

In Chinese medicine, snakes are known for their therapeutic virtues. To enhance the patient's immune system, they are frequently consumed in soup or even wine.

A shop on Mr Yang's snake farm sells a variety of items, including snake powder.

Mr Yang claims he sends his items to Japan and South Korea, as well as Germany and the United States, although the majority of his company is local.

I met one young man on his snake farm who had traveled hundreds of miles for therapy.

According to him, he was bedridden for three years. He said that after consuming snake medication for several months, he was finally able to walk.

"Snakes are my saviour," he said. "When I first came here I was scared of snakes but that's no longer the case."