Tong Liya at the launch ceremony of a national tour of Here, and Beyond. [Photo provided to China Daily]

At 42, Tong Liya has returned to a stage that once defined her dreams — this time, as a dancer.

After years of focusing on her acting career, she faces the unique challenge of reentering the world of dance, which she had once called her own.

On Sept 23, she announced the national tour of the dance drama, Here, and Beyond, at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center as the production's initiator, producer and lead performer.

Tong is not only embracing a new artistic challenge but also returning to her roots in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the place where her journey as a dancer began.

"I grew up in Xinjiang and I conceived the idea of creating this dance drama as a tribute to my hometown," says Tong, who was born in the Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture in northwestern Xinjiang.

"Dance was where my dream began. The stage was where I first set out. For me, performing in this dance drama at 42 is not only a challenge but also a way to revisit the passion that first defined my artistic journey."

Her history with dance dates back to her childhood.

She leads the performance in the dance drama that celebrates diverse ethnic cultures. [Photo provided to China Daily]

At 12, Tong studied at Xinjiang Arts University's dance school.

By 19, she had become a professional dancer with the Xinjiang Song and Dance Troupe. Later, she continued studies at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing.

Here, and Beyond had its premiere in 2019 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

Since its reimagined version debuted at the 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival in July, it has now embarked on a nationwide tour, set to cover 17 cities and 50 performances by April 2026.

The dance drama, featuring more than 50 dancers from Xinjiang, is structured into six chapters: Encounter, To Father, To Mother, To Love, To the Distance and To Here. Each chapter weaves together the stories of various ethnic groups, blending folk dance forms with international dance vocabulary.

The work explores themes of love, identity and personal growth, while drawing on the cultural traditions of various ethnic groups, including Kazak, Uygur, Xibe and Tajik.

The forceful dance movements of the Xibe group reflect the gravity of To Father, while the fluid rhythms of the Tajik group express the warmth of To Mother. Furthermore, the vibrant beats of the Kazak group convey the passionate intensity of To Love.

The overall choreography, woven together by multiple ethnic groups, brings to life the expansive dreams and emotions of the dance.

To prepare, Tong committed to months of rigorous training to meet the physical demands of the intense choreography.

"Once Tong Liya stepped onto the stage, it was as if she had been 'reawakened'," recalls Dong Jie, the chief director of the dance drama.

"The wealth of acting experience she has gained over the years, combined with her life journey, allowed her to capture the emotional essence of her role. On stage, she exuded an electrifying energy that captivated the audience."