On home ground

"I can still recall the first show vividly. The density of population is low in Urad Rear Banner. The audience came to the show in different ways, riding motorcycles, horses or camels. We just drove our own car, carrying our instruments and equipment with us. The show took place in the desert. Apart from the herdsmen, senior people and children, we also had flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and camels as our audience," says Li.

"We just prepared a few songs and some dance works we used to perform during our tours. But the show ended up with an impromptu program. We sang what the audience wanted to hear and danced with them," adds Khuslen, who closed the first show with the famous song, Hongyan.

After their first show, the two artists decided to give a name to their tour in other places of Inner Mongolia. They named it after a well-known Mongolian folk song, Beautiful.

"It's a charity tour and we have no formal stage or any stage design, or lights. But we have a great time because of the warm feedback of the audiences," says Li. "During the past three years, we have traveled to many places in Inner Mongolia, some of which were foreign to us. We feel very happy because we can go to those places, which we had never been to before, and see some beautiful sceneries and talk to local people."

Besides the warm feedback of the audience, they have also been treated as honored guests, offered food and drink in local people's homes. Apart from performing, Li and Khuslen have also collected folk songs and dance moves that they had never learned before.

Khuslen mentions that, after one show, it was totally dark outside. When they prepared to leave, their car had two flat tires. They had to spend the night at the home of a herdsman, who volunteered to help them repair the tires the next morning.