A job listing in China is stirring up a lot of online chatter with a salary of 16,000 RMB per month (over 60 million VND) for what seems like a simple task: shepherding sheep.
But behind that attractive number are conditions that have many people backing away.
According to a company in Xilinhot, the job requires managing and herding nearly 3,000 sheep on a farm spanning over 30,000 acres. At first glance, this sounds like a dream job with a high salary, but the reality is much tougher.
Specifically, workers must work year-round with no days off. Summers are spent herding on the grasslands, while winters involve feeding the sheep twice a day, each session lasting over two hours. This means the workload is far more intense than most imagine. One major reason many hesitate is that the farm is located about 300 km from the nearest city. Out on the vast steppe, almost no one else is around, so workers have to accept a completely isolated lifestyle.
Although the company promises food and lodging, supplies delivered by staff, and provides horses, motorcycles, and even WiFi in the housing, life is still far from easy. Bad weather can disrupt internet access, and cell phone signals are almost nonexistent. The farm owner even encourages couples to apply together so they can support each other in daily life and work, highlighting just how isolated the environment is.
Living conditions vary drastically by season. Summer is relatively pleasant with cool weather and beautiful grassland views. Workers live in Mongolian-style tents equipped with electricity and water. But winter is a real challenge. The cold lasts up to six months, with temperatures dropping below -40°C. Workers must build their own fires to stay warm while continuing to care for the sheep in these harsh conditions.
The recruiter explains that the mild summers, brutal winters, and near-total isolation are why the salary is so high. However, these factors also explain why, despite being publicly advertised, the position has attracted very few applicants.
In a time when many young people seek flexible jobs, dynamic environments, and constant connectivity, a role demanding long-term solitude is clearly not an easy choice.
