Groovy islands

In 2007, she launched another successful show, Riddle of Tibet, which won acclaim for its interpretation of Tibetan culture and Buddhism. The show is now a major tourist draw in Sichuan province's Jiuzhaigou Valley, where it is regularly staged.

"Usually we tour our new productions first and then base them in specific cities," Wang says. "That way we can help to promote local tourism."

Besides delivering messages through new shows, Yang also considers introducing young artists to be an important goal of her company.

Xia Ga, a dancer from the Hani ethnic group, received a lot of attention when he performed the drum dance at Yang's shows, including Dynamic Yunnan. Yang discovered him during a trip of Yunnan's Jianshui county in 2001.

In 2012, Yang performed along with fellow dancer Wang Di in the show Love of Peacock as part of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, among China's most popular TV programs. The audience was impressed by the young man's solid techniques.

Cai Qi, Yang's niece, turns 18 this year and will perform in Pingtan Impression. She is widely considered as an heir of her aunt's legacy. The young woman has been performing with Yang since her childhood.

"These dancers from different ethnic groups have been performing with me for years," Yang says.

"Many of them lacked formal training but always had a good sense of rhythm, which is a natural talent."

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn