A small village located on the edge of a cliff that was cut off from the rest of the world until just a decade ago is now seeing so many tourists there is barely room to stand on the road.

Situated over a steep canyon in China's geographically diverse Sichuan province, Gulu Village is a small settlement of around 500 households that remained a mystery to the outside world for most of its existence.

Its only link was a narrow road carved out in the mountain, and most of its residents spent their whole lives in the village, according to state-run news agency CCTV in China.

It was not until 2012 that local governments decided to invest in improving its accessibility that it began to slowly thrive.

The road was widened and made safer, and a cable car was also built over the gorge leading up to Gulu.

Soon, it began attracting thousands of visitors who were drawn in by its unique and remote location.

Recent footage captured by one traveller shows thousands of people lining up to hike up to the village up a steep mountain trail.

Tourist buses and vehicles were seen going in and out of a car park at the bottom of the cliffside where Gulu is located.