"My music has roots," Gong said during the concert in Jinan. "Eighty percent of these songs are ones I've learned from people across the country, one word at a time. They are songs that have been passed down and carried forward."

With their deep connection to the traditions of China, Gong's songs are imbued with a special cultural significance. As she approaches her 50th birthday, she is reflecting on her artistic journey, questioning the ways to continue to evolve as a singer and deepen her artistic expression.