On stage, he is a delicate Chinese woman with exquisite make-up, fascinating audiences with his high-pitched voice, slender figure and graceful movements. Off-stage, the handsome man of 32 is referred as a Verdana yemen'er- Beijing dialect for a tough guy - by his friends.
Having shot to national fame following a TV talent show in 2006 for his cross-gender portrait of an ancient beauty, Li Yugang has helped make Peking Opera more popular by incorporating modern singing, acting and fashion elements into the traditional art form.
In his first album New Drunken Beauty released earlier this month, Li infuses xiqu - traditional Chinese opera - with modern music styles, including R&B, to woo more young people to the fine art.
He continues to play legendary and beautiful ancient Chinese women and in 2009 became the second Chinese to hold a solo concert at the Sydney Opera House.
Li has never received any professional training which hasn't hindered his career but rather set him free to assimilate the essence of different art forms with his own observation and preference.
Although he has been given the title "reformer of Peking Opera" and has made the form more popular, Li said there is more to do. "I will continue to display the essence of Chinese culture on the stage and promote Chinese beauty to the world."
The first time I heard of him was in the TV several years ago, then I was shocked by his vioce, and attracted by the expression in his eyes. I even could not believe that the fascinate vioce was from a man. However that is ture. Now he becomes more popular, and have published an album. I like all of his songs in his new album. They are wonderful, beautiful words and beautiful voice.
What about you? Do you like listening to his songs?