RETURNING from a recent trip to Inner Mongolia to launch his new book, Jin Yong is back reporting the news, going to the gym, and gathering with other Mongolian singers in Shenzhen.

His latest book, "The Wind Blows Through the Grassland," is a tribute to Mongolian culture and people who he has cherished a kinship and passion for over the past 40 years.

"I had romantic fantasies about the grasslands of Inner Mongolia ever since I was young. Who knows? Perhaps my ancestors could be Mongolian," Jin said.

It all started with "Dongfanghong" (Oriental Red), a movie featuring singing and dancing, shown in a theater in his hometown Jingzhou in the 1960s.

"When famous Chinese singer Hu Songhua opened his mouth to sing a traditional Mongolian song, I was dumbfounded. It was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard."

Since then, he has often dreamed of riding a horse herding sheep under the blue skies of the grasslands. And he began to learn Mongolian songs himself.

"I gave up snacks and other entertainments, saved every penny I could, and watched that movie so many times just to hear that beautiful song again. It's difficult to imagine, but there were no tape recorders in China at that time, not to mention CD players or the Internet. I watched the movie show after show, trying to learn it."

Luckily, a friend of his was a flute player with an art troupe in his hometown. A fan of Mongolian songs himself, the friend taught Jin to sing.

"I am attracted to Mongolian songs like a hungry man is attracted to bread. The songs have accompanied me through the ups and downs of life," he said.

Jin has never missed a single concert of Mongolian songs and dances in Shenzhen. He spends most of his leisure time in Mongolian restaurants, making friends with singers there and learning from them.

"Some of them are quite professional, having won awards in singing contests in Inner Mongolia," he said.

The Mongolian singers and restaurant owners have adopted him as a true friend and have given him a Mongolian name "Amur," which means "Happiness."

"The moment I hear the sound of morin khuur (horse head fiddle), and a pure voice singing long tunes, I feel my blood running and want to drink wine and sing along."

In the summer of 2004, Jin fulfilled his long-cherished wish to travel through the grasslands of Mongolia and Inner Mongolia after completing a report on a charity mission there.

"The people there, though poorly off and living a tough life, struck me with their optimism and kind hearts. A nomad let his herd of horses run very fast to let me take a photograph. Later, a local guide told me that Mongolian people treat horses like their own children and would only have offered me that opportunity as a true friend."

"I have nothing to give them in return except my essays and photos. That's why I decided to publish a book on Mongolian culture. I hope more people get to understand their joys, sorrows, pride and traditions."

To capture the essence of hoomei and long tunes, Jin has visited many famous Mongolian singers like the late "long tune king" Hazhabu.

"The old man encouraged me and said I was among the few Han people who could sing Mongolian songs that well."

Jin also visited hoomei master Aodusurong in Mongolia as well as top Chinese singers like Hu Songhua, Tengger and Dedema. In 2005, Jin donated 2,000 yuan to a musical conservatory founded by Dedema.

He is now learning long tunes with Zhagedasurong, an Inner Mongolian singing master. "People can touch the kind hearts of Mongolian people under their coarse skin only if they can appreciate and sing Mongolian songs, whether or not he or she is Mongolian," the singer told Jin.

In January this year, Jin published his book on Mongolian culture and landscape.

The book includes more than 900 photos taken during his tours to Inner Mongolia and Mongolia as well as 150,000-character essays on the people and their traditions.

There are descriptions of rivers, tents, aobao (a heap of stones for worshiping), and leleche (a traditional wooden cart used by Mongolians). There are photos showing folk customs like Mongolian wrestling, horse racing and weddings and detailed introductions to Mongolian arts like long tunes, hoomei, choral singing, and dances. The book also records Jin's profound thoughts on the preservation of the natural environment and cultural traditions of Inner Mongolia.

Today, Jin still lives in an apartment built years ago in Luohu District. "I am not buying a new house because I want to move to Inner Mongolia when I retire," he said.

"I was comfortable being with the Mongolians in the grasslands, which felt like a hometown to me."

Editor: Wing