Uniting stories of Silk Road through dance

To illustrate the history of the Silk Road, the dance draws inspiration from Shanxi's historical heritage and figures, including the awe-inspiring Yungang Grottoes in Datong, the monk Faxian who traveled to more than 30 countries collecting Buddhist scriptures, and Shanxi merchants who promoted transnational trade and cultural exchange in the 19th century.

Li says the production is a combination of dance drama and poetry. Instead of dealing with a linear storyline, the audience is presented with varied scenes or events from different times and spaces, and these scenes are connected like verses of a poem.