Foreign influencers share the real, colorful and vibrant China

HEFEI — When Italian couple Simona Maria Cannone and Angelo Taraborrelli traveled to Mount Huangshan in East China's Anhui province earlier this year, it wasn't just a sightseeing trip.

They also went to meet Adrien Brill, an American who has gained fame on social media for his unconventional recipes that combine Western ingredients with traditional Anhui flavors.

Brill is one of an increasing number of international influencers who share their vibrant, diverse experiences in China with their followers. China's appeal, coupled with its relaxed visa policies, is driving more foreigners to explore the country firsthand.

Popular YouTuber IShowSpeed from the United States, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr, traveled across China from late March to early April, livestreaming his travels in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing.

He journeyed along streets and alleys, experienced the country's history and culture, sampled its cuisine, and interacted with fans.

Despite language barriers and a packed itinerary, the 20-year-old's hourslong livestreams drew millions of viewers, offering audiences a glimpse of life in China.

His zesty and contagious shows sparked buzz on Chinese and international social media. Hashtags like "Breaking the Western Filter on China" trended with many viewers on YouTube saying the livestreams changed their perceptions of China.

Italian expat Rachele Longhi and Luca, her Chinese husband, based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, have more than 140,000 subscribers on YouTube. Their videos feature tea gardens, smart sports parks, the West Lake scenery, street snacks and traditional festivals.

"We want the world to see the real China through our eyes," says Luca, adding that their personal experiences tell vivid stories.

Foreigners are also using Chinese platforms such as Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, a lifestyle-sharing platform, to learn about the daily lives of ordinary Chinese people. Built-in translation features facilitate cross-cultural interaction.

A short video showing the night view of the Bund in Shanghai on RedNote drew comments from users worldwide.

"It may seem like casual sharing," said Zhang Yuan, executive editor-in-chief of RedNote, at the 2025 China Internet Civilization Conference held in Hefei, Anhui, on June 10 and 11. "But this is actually how ordinary people build bridges of understanding and friendship with sincerity and curiosity at a time when globalization is facing challenges."

Zhou Qing'an, dean of Tsinghua University's School of Journalism and Communication, echoes online exchanges open a door not only for the world to learn about China but for China to speak to the world.

As China expands its visa-free entry policy, foreign tourists and travel bloggers are seizing the opportunity to explore the country and share their journeys online.

German traveler Kilian Hermes recently visited Chongqing and shared his experiences, including taking high-speed trains and eating popular local cuisine.

His posts quickly went viral.

"It's my first time in China. China is just something you need to see yourself to believe it," Hermes says. "I video call my friends every day to show them around and they are all shocked. No one knows what the real China looks like. I never felt so safe in a country. Everyone is so friendly."

French photographer Nicolas Cornet visited Mount Huangshan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for the eighth time earlier this year. Cornet says China's visa-free policy has made his two most recent trips there much easier.

His photographs of Mount Huangshan, which were exhibited at a photography festival in the United Arab Emirates in February, helped inspire interest in traveling to the scenic area.

British travelers Joel Friend and Emilia Beattie have posted a series of travel vlogs documenting their four-week trip across China. The adventure, which they did without a travel guide, allowed the two and their followers to see a true and vibrant China.

Austrian businessman Armin Schober has also gained fame for sharing his life in China. He and his wife run a homestay and a pizza and coffee shop in two villages at the foothill of Mount Huangshan.

"I would like to be a bridge between China and the rest of the world," Schober says.

Xinhua