Going Back in Time: Classic poem-turned song becomes a hit across China

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Chinese singer Cao Xuanbin became a nationwide sensation, just three days after singing on TV. His online video racked up over 20 million views, in no time at all. Some say listening to him sing is like being transported back to the Tang Dynasty. What's all the hype about? Take a look.

No dust is raised on pathways wet with morning rain.

The willows by the tavern look so fresh and green.

I would ask you to drink a cup of wine again.

West of the sunny pass no more friends will be seen.

A Farewell Song was written by Wang Wei, a renowned poet who lived more than a thousand years ago.

And Cao Xuanbin, is one of the most promising musicians in China today.

Just acappella and no extra melodies -- Cao's creative work perfectly illustrates the poem's parting sorrow.

CAO XUANBIN MUSICIAN "To combine poetry with music is to express the deep meaning of poetry. And what's more, I added some philosophical understanding to the music."

Tang poet Wang Wei was born in Shanxi Province, while Cao comes from the neighboring Shaanxi -- both located in China's northwest. It's understandable why the musican chose a poem close to home to express his love for his motherland.

The team behind Everlasting Classics gave many opinions and proposed he add some traditional element to his music. But Cao turned all of them but one down.

TIAN MEI DIRECTOR, EVERLASTING CLASSICS "Cao Xuanbin is a complete perfectionist in music. We've given him lots of choices, but he insisted on his original plan. We racked our brain to persuade him, and finally found out that the Guqin might be able to create a great integration to his music. And he agreed."

The Guqin is an ancient Chinese string instrument dating over 4000 years ago. Back then, it was the preferred instrument of scholars, who felt only the guqin could express the complex and affectionate mentality of the Chinese.

CAO XUANBIN MUSICIAN "This portamento indicates something deep in our heart and something emotional. So when you sing, it sounds as if it were the effect made by the guqin. I don't believe people have ever before appreciated the instrumental ensemble by Guqin , string quartet and piano."

As creative and daring as Cao is, it took the musician and his team over three weeks to complete the lyrics, composition and music arrangement.

Born into a family of artists, Cao started playing piano and drums when he was ten years old. As the age of 12, he entered the Affiliated High School of Xi'an Conservatory of Music. At 18, he went to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, majoring in percussion music. 13 years after the graduation, Cao still continues to learn, produce and sing.

CAO XUANBIN MUSICIAN "The biggest motivation that pushes me to come up to this stage is that I do believe that the right music has to be expressed by right musicians. Of course I'll let others sing my song IF they can do it better than me. And that's the only way to perfectly connect the value of music with the value of personality."

As an old Chinese saying goes, it takes ten years to sharpen a sword. For Cao, it took 13 years of persistence towards success.

CAO XUANBIN MUSICIAN "This emotion is part of human being's basic instinct. So it the musicians' responsibility to give people real music and make people really happy. "

Cao's success is stems from his confidence, persistence and profession. And it is the classics -- the ancient poem and Guqin -- which made this travel back into time possible. QIJIE, CGTN.