A song for the grasslands

"I can still recall the first performance I did with the troupe. We did rehearsals every day and performed during the night. It was exhausting but rewarding. When I saw the warm feedback from the audience, it reminded me of my first experience of watching performances by the troupe," says Tergel.

Since 2005, Tergel has toured with the art troupe for more than 1,600 performances. That translates into more than 100 performances every year.

Tuul, 29, joined the Ulan Muqir of Zhenglan Banner in 2010 as a dancer after graduating from an art school in Ordos. "All of the artists are versatile. We sing, dance and play instruments. The blue sky was our curtain and the grassland our stage," Tuul says.

"We made lots of friends after each performance with the local people. They treated us like guests with hospitality and the best food they had. I feel at home and fulfilled," adds Tuul.

According to Bukh, the deputy director of the Ulan Muqir of Zhenglan Banner, Xiliin Gol League, there are 75 Ulan Muqir art troupes in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, bringing 7,000 performances to audiences of the region each year.