Lin Hwai-min [CFP]

"We are not just entertainers who only perform for people of some status in the opera house," Lin commented.

Lin recalled a 1999 performance when his troupe went to an area devastated by the 921 earthquake in Taiwan. He said that the smiles on the faces of the elderly and young children, appearing for the first time since the disaster occurred, were the best appreciation he has ever received.

On February 11 last year, a fire destroyed Cloud Gate's rehearsal studio, costumes, props and production archives. Donations to rebuild the facility reached US$12 million from 175 business groups and 3,973 individuals, according to a report in the Taipei Times. The local government also granted Cloud Gate a new site in Tamshui with a 50-year land tenure.

Lin has been busy rebuilding his studio since then. He wants it to be a dancing art center, where young artists can compose and dance together.

"My works will vanish one day. Young choreographers will create new masterpieces of their own era," he said.

However, the 63-year-old choreographer does not have plans to retire just yet. He hopes that Cloud Gate will continue to increase its influence on modern culture through dance, well into the future.

"I will retire one day, but I hope my dance group will last forever," he said.

Lin added that he would like to give an outdoor performance on the Chinese mainland one day.

This month's Cursive tour includes Shenzhen, Suzhou and Shanghai, runs from November 27 to 29 at the NCPA in Beijing and concludes on December 4 and 5 in Xi'an.