Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
SHANGHAI, February 22 (Xinhua) — The hashtags "China Travel" and "Becoming Chinese" have recently become trending topics on social media. More and more foreigners are sharing their travel experiences in China or their Chinese-style lifestyle online, including drinking hot water, practicing tai chi, and celebrating the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year).
These trends genuinely delight Alexandra Antonenko /Sasha/, a girl from Russia.
"I used to often have to explain to my friends why I love China and why I decided to spend my life there. But now, with China's popularity, they themselves say, 'You're so lucky you came to China a long time ago,'" the Russian woman recalls with a smile.
Seven years ago, during a trip to China, she first visited Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai, eastern China. Red lanterns illuminated the graceful curved roofs, and visitors strolled through the grounds, where ancient traditions and modernity harmoniously blended. It was then that Sasha realized China was the place she wanted to explore better, and the idea of studying here was born.
In 2022, Sasha moved to Shanghai to begin her master's degree. Today, she's a doctoral candidate at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and a popular blogger who creates short videos.
She captures moments of her Shanghai life through her camera lens: trying on a qipao (Chinese women's dress), learning about traditional Chinese medicine, dancing in the square to popular music, and strolling through the city's streets and courtyards. These images form a mosaic of her life in China.
"The Chinese-style lifestyle has long been a part of my daily life," Sasha said. For example, she confidently uses chopsticks, has taken to drinking hot water throughout the day, attends moxibustion sessions in the winter, and enjoys a variety of healing teas.
Sharing these moments on social media, Sasha was surprised to learn that many foreign internet users were following her lead in trying these everyday habits. Some of them commented on how they felt better.
Shanghai also brought her unexpected happiness. In 2022, she met her future husband, Zhao Yiwei, in a local coffee shop. This chance meeting marked the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of two people from different parts of the world. Since then, working on their blog, they have visited over 20 Chinese cities, enriching their lives with travel, local cuisine, and culture, and actively sharing their experiences with the world through videos.
Sasha holds a special place in her heart for the Spring Festival. "Chunjie has rich cultural meaning—it's a time for family reunions and caring for each other," she said. She enjoys the lively atmosphere before the festival, when people shop for gifts and groceries, the red holiday decorations everywhere, and especially the warmth of a family dinner on the eve of the Spring Festival. By adding Russian dishes to the holiday table, she enriches the celebration with a blend of cultural elements from both countries.
Alexandra's life journey—from tourist to student to permanent resident of China, from cultural enthusiast to cultural storyteller—echoes the popular internet trend of "Becoming Chinese."
“Life in China is full of new discoveries every day,” Sasha said, “I want to share real stories about China with as many people as possible.” -0-
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