The band Ih Tsetsn's popularity in China has grown with its performances. Photo provided to China Daily

Matouqin instrument joins orchestra

Moerdaoga National Forest Park, a pure white wonderland

Altengaro learned hubosi from his uncle at 15. After serving in the army for two years, he opened a bar in his hometown in Xilin Gol. He hosted some folk musicians and sometimes played with them.

"A herdsman's life is healthy and simple. I could earn some 500,000 yuan ($80,000) a year. But when you are young, you dream of exploring the world outside the grasslands," he says.

He left home to attend the Minzu University of China in Beijing and has been involved in the ethnic music scene since 2000.

Bayinmunk, 35, was born in the grasslands of Ar Horqin. He learned to play the morin khuur at age 5 from his mother.

He was visiting friends in Beijing in the spring of 2003 when SARS broke out. The city was quarantined. He was unable to return home and started to perform at bars in the capital.

"At first, it was partly for fun and partly to make a living in Beijing. Our performances were popular and many people asked me about Mongolian music, culture and nomadic life. I realized I have a responsibility to introduce and promote the culture," Bayinmunk says.

Ji Jargal, 31, learned sihu and the morin khuur with a folk artist at a young age. In 1999, the Baotou Art School in Inner Mongolia was recruiting dance students. He accompanied a friend to the audition and during a break, he played the morin khuur. A teacher was so impressed he was admitted to the art school. He moved to Beijing in 2002.