China’s economy continues to decline, with rising unemployment rates, especially making it increasingly difficult for young people to find jobs. Recently, in Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia, a ranch owner is looking to hire shepherds, preferably a couple, offering a total monthly salary of 16,000 yuan, to manage 3,000 sheep, with round-the-clock work, including meals, accommodation with Wi-Fi, sparking a heated discussion on the internet.
On April 24th, Mr. Zuo, the owner of Mengyuan Chunpin Ranch, told Jiu Pai News that the job is located in the pastoral area of Inner Mongolia, covering an area of over 30,000 mu, requiring the management of nearly 3,000 sheep with a monthly salary of 16,000 yuan. The company provides accommodation and meals, with supplies delivered by designated staff, along with horses and motorcycles. The work is year-round, with summers spent herding sheep and winters spent feeding them twice daily, with each session taking over two hours, making it physically demanding.
During the summer, one can stay in a Mongolian yurt with water, electricity, and pleasant grassland scenery, making the work easy. However, winters are tougher, lasting for half a year with temperatures dropping to over minus forty degrees, requiring the shepherds to light a stove for warmth. There are cottages available, equipped with Wi-Fi, but internet connection may be disrupted during rainy or snowy weather, and there is no mobile phone signal on the grassland.
The ranch is located in a remote area, 300 kilometers away from the city, where people are rarely seen on the vast grassland. It is best suited for a couple where one person herds the sheep while the other cooks, requiring a commitment of at least one year and the ability to withstand loneliness. No experience is needed, as one can learn the tasks within two days.
Currently, there has been an overwhelming number of phone inquiries, with many post-90s generation seeking employment. However, most seem to be interested only for a short period, with few willing to stay long term. “This job is more suitable for people in their forties or fifties,” Mr. Zuo mentioned, revealing that they have already selected two couples from Inner Mongolia and Hebei, and are still looking for more suitable candidates.
According to Fengmian News, Mr. Zuo emphasized that despite the job seeming easy, “managing 3,000 sheep is not a simple task. In the summer, it’s relatively easy as the sheep graze, but in winter, they need to be fed, requiring the transportation of three to four hundred bags of grass weighing 400 catties each daily.” The workload is substantial, and being in a secluded place with only cows and sheep around makes it challenging.
The day before, Mr. Zuo posted a job recruitment notice on social media platforms.
Tianyancha App revealed that the ranch is associated with Xilinhot Mengyuan Chunpin Food Co., Ltd., established in March 2026, with Zuo Xiaoyong as the legal representative and a registered capital of 50,000 yuan, engaging in food sales, online food sales, with Zuo Xiaoyong holding full ownership.
Mr. Zuo informed Fengmian News that, “Although the company was established this year, we have been in the beef and mutton business for many years before, previously operating as a private entity.”
The topic labeled “16,000 yuan monthly salary shepherd job attracts many post-90s job seekers” quickly trended as the second hottest search on Baidu on April 24th. Similarly, the tag “16,000 yuan monthly salary shepherd job, 2 couples already selected” briefly became the most-discussed topic on Weibo.
Netizens expressed their thoughts, with some saying, “In the future, don’t say that if you can’t get into university, you can only go back to shepherding, as shepherding jobs are hard to find nowadays.” Others stated, “Finally, a boss openly requesting older individuals! It’s not a world dominated by those under 35.” Some added, “Surely they need people who are accustomed to farm work; city folks would get tired in just two days, herding sheep is very tiring.” And another warned, “For those who have raised sheep before, they know how hard it is. As soon as the lambs are born, you have to stay up all night, in freezing winter, you still have to go out to herd, vaccinate, stack feed, any one of these tasks would be too much for today’s youth. Just think about it, don’t actually go!”
Would you like me to keep going?