This dynamic work for strings and percussion portrays many artful and colorful images of China. The melody used in both movements is a traditional folksong from the Shanbei region titled Embroidering on a Silk Banner with Golden Thread. The first movement, The Golden Thread, reflects the embroidery of the thread as the melody is passed around in solos for violin and cello. The second movement, Waking the Dragon, uses mixed meters and energetic rhythms to imitate a traditional Dragon Dance.