Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Since early 2026, a trend called "Becoming Chinese" has been gaining momentum on international social media. Riding this wave, foreign users have begun actively sharing their "Chinese lifestyle": drinking hot water, preparing nutritious soups, practicing Baduanjin exercises… Most of them may have never been to China, but thanks to watching short videos, they live as if they have become "distant Chinese relatives."
The emergence of the trend of “becoming Chinese from a distance” is not a coincidence.
The "Becoming Chinese" trend originated from a TikTok video by Chinese-born blogger Sherry Zhu. In the video, she explains Chinese winter wellness practices, principles of traditional Chinese medicine, and Chinese dietary habits, such as drinking hot water and eating raw and cold foods in moderation. She jokingly declares, "Starting tomorrow, you will become Chinese." Her video quickly garnered millions of views and sparked a wave of imitation among international users. They began practicing qigong, brewing apple water, steeping goji berries, and sharing moments from their lives "in Chinese style." Moreover, the international audience's interest in the "Chinese way of life" is not limited to wellness but extends to all aspects of life: clothing, food, housing, and transportation. Some add red elements to their clothing to attract good luck for the Spring Festival; others learn to play mahjong to become more "Sinicized."
Brew a cup of hot tea, cook a bowl of warm porridge—the popularity of the "Chinese way of life" among foreign users is a clear reflection of Chinese culture's progressive emergence on the global stage. Previously, foreign internet users associated Chinese culture with giant pandas, kung fu, and a host of stereotypical symbols. Today, it's a tangible and understandable "Chinese way of life," the Eastern aesthetics of the game "Black Myth: Wukong," the value resonance of the cartoon "Nezha," and the emotional comfort brought by the world-famous Labubu dolls.
"China Travel" Remains Popular: Foreigners See the Real China
If "Becoming Chinese" can be characterized as foreigners' desire to experience Chinese culture from a distance, then "China Travel" is their personal experience of getting to know the real China.
Since its explosive growth in popularity in 2024, interest in "China Travel" has remained consistently high. Fueled by social media, this trend features both active recommendations from international influencers based on their personal experiences and rave reviews from many foreign tourists following their trips to China.
In November 2024, American Evan Kyle, who had previously donated an album of World War II photographs to China, set out on his first trip to China. He observed the flag-raising ceremony in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, learned to cook jianbingguozi (egg pancakes) in Tianjin, and sampled local delicacies at the Leifeng Pagoda in Hangzhou. The hospitality of the Chinese people left a deep impression on him. In a media interview, he even expressed hope that China would become his "second home." From March to April 2025, live broadcasts from China by the American YouTuber "IShowSpeed" generated a huge response. On the streets of Shanghai, he danced the trendy "kemusan" dance; in Beijing, wearing a colorful quilted jacket, he dared to try a special Beijing soybean drink called "douzhir"; and at the Shaolin Monastery in Henan Province, dressed in monk's robes, he practiced the "iron shirt" (tiebushan) technique. These amusing livestreams elicited admiration from many foreign viewers: "We've rediscovered China!"
Unlike many popular bloggers, French photographer Alex Cissé's video about his trip to China offers no appreciation of the local cuisine or landscapes, nor does itinerary planning advice. In a monologue, he reflects on the process of dismantling his stereotypes about China: "In China, I realized that my values aren't universal. I thought I was visiting China, but in reality, China had entered my heart."
From personal participation in "China Travel" to "remotely imitating the Chinese," foreigners' fascination with China begins with a search for the real China and is reinforced through real, tangible experiences in which they feel an ever-growing attraction, experiencing constant admiration and a sense of belonging. Whether it's the enthusiastic experiences of foreign tourists visiting China to see its beauty and sample its cuisine, or the practice of imitating Chinese people by cooking hot porridge or soup, these vivid stories and candid accounts create an emotional resonance in intercultural communication. They also serve as the most vivid commentary on the image of an open and inclusive China and its long, rich culture.
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