In 1978, Bei Dao and other Misty poets emerged in China, using obscure imagery and complex language to critique the Cultural Revolution and the authoritarian regime. Their work challenged the constraints of state-sponsored literature and sought to express individual experiences and emotions. The Misty Poetry movement played a crucial role in the evolution of contemporary Chinese literature and the push for greater artistic freedom.

The emergence of Bei Dao and the Misty Poets in 1978 challenged the constraints of post-Mao China, revitalizing modernist Chinese poetry. Their works often addressed themes of individuality and freedom, inspiring a generation of poets to engage in protest literature, particularly during the Tiananmen Square protests.