Nearly 20 years and counting

Moon Water, a modern exploration of tai chi, makes its Beijing debut later in the month. Chen Nan reports.

On a stage with white stripes painted on a black floor, resembling ripples created by water, dancers in loose white pants seem to make their bodies flow. They rise and fall as if mimicking breathing, which seems as if the audience and the dancers are breathing in unison.

A wall of mirrors reflects the dancers' moves on water, which quietly floods the stage. The sound of flowing water resonates with Bach's Six Suites for Solo Cello.