Conductor Yan Huichang. [Photo provided to China Daily]

It was a tricky question: How could he promote traditional Chinese music in a Westernized city like Hong Kong?

That was the main challenge conductor Yan Huichang faced when he was appointed as the artistic director of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in 1997. But Yan has found success over the past two decades.

From Friday to June 11, he will lead the orchestra on a tour of the mainland, including Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan, to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China.

It's the only professional Chinese orchestra founded in Hong Kong in 1977.

Its more than 90 musicians will bring a mix of ancient and contemporary pieces, including Zhao Jiping's Zhuang Zhou's Dream, Ng Cheuk-yin's Tang Resonating and Guo Wenjing's Sorrowful, Desolate Mountain.

Every concertgoer will be provided with a hand drum that can be used during the encore.

The audience will perform Chinese composer Cheng Dazhao's The Yellow River Capriccio with the orchestra.