For Kouwenhoven, director of the European Foundation for Chinese Music Research, the visit continues a journey spanning over three decades.

In the 1990s, he and his wife, Sinologist Antoinet Schimmelpenninck, discovered the powerful, soaring melodies of Hua'er folk songs. Captivated, the couple embarked on expeditions into the rugged landscapes of Gansu and Qinghai provinces, seeking out these living mountain songs.

To explore the significance of music in the lives of local people, he and his wife often chatted with singers, forging bonds over snacks and beers. Sometimes, they even stayed at the homes of the local singers to fully immerse themselves in their lives.