Li rose to fame after singing Homeland Love (乡恋), a mellow love ballad written by Ma Jinghua and Zhang Peiji, in 1980 shortly after China began its "Reform and Opening".

Officials searched her house, confiscated her property, and she was sentenced to hard labor.

Then she has toured with the Central Philharmonic Orchestra to perform in China and abroad, including in France, Japan and the United States.

[2] In 1980, the Chinese officials criticized Li as "mainland China's Teresa Teng" for singing Homeland Love (乡恋), considered the first pop song in mainland China.

In 1996, Li transferred to Central Oriental Song and Dance Troupe as the CPC Party Secretary.