Silicon Valley gets a dose of Qing Dynasty

Born in the 1950s, Liu Xiaoqing is known for her versatility in acting.

In 1999, she became one of the richest people in China, appearing at number 45 on Forbes' list of the 50 richest Chinese business people. In 2002, she was sentenced to a year in prison for tax evasion.

Liu returned to acting in the mid-2000s and Stunning Beauty is her latest stage role.

"Every time I accept a new project, I think it is challenging and within my reach, I can also make a new impression on the audience," Liu says.

As an historical drama, Stunning Beauty uses both humorous and forceful language with a sophisticated and intricate plot to bring to life the elegant times of Sai Jinhua.

In August 2012, Stunning Beauty was well received in Taiwan and the show has played to sold-out audiences on the mainland.

In 1975, Liu was an actress in the Chengdu Military Region and got her first chance to be in a movie. She played a simple fishing girl in a movie called The Great Wall. The three movies The Little Flower, Wedding and What a Family made Liu famous in Chinese movie circles. The three distinct characters not only proved her versatility but also earned her the honor of best supporting actress at the Hundred Flowers Awards.

"In the beginning, I didn't know how to act, as I never studied acting at an academy. My acting training is actually an ongoing process," she says.

Thanks to the support of her fans, she says she's had many opportunities to learn from her mistakes and further improve her skills. "So I was able to perfect myself in movies and plays one after another," she says.