Stories of a dynamic country now being told viral by influencers
Summer is here, and with it comes the familiar sight of foreign travelers exploring China's ancient landmarks and modern marvels. But something has changed. For many foreign tourists and social media influencers, China is no longer just a destination for sights and flavors, it is a place that holds surprises and untold stories.
In the videos they are posting online, one comes across phrases such as "unexpected", or "not what we expected". Real experience on the ground is helping challenge people's perceptions, offering them fresh perspectives.
This new wave of storytelling did not happen by chance. Since late 2023, China's upgraded visa policies, expanded visa-free access and smoother customs clearance have made visiting easier. Combined with a welcoming social atmosphere, these changes have encouraged more content creators from abroad to experience and share their journeys through livestreams and short videos.
One of the most notable examples is IShowSpeed, a young YouTuber from the United States, whose spring tour of China drew global attention. His hours-long livestreams, ranging from bustling streets to local markets, captured real-time interactions that millions watched online. Like some other creators, he offered audiences something traditional media rarely delivers: unfiltered glimpses of modern China through a personal lens.
In recent months, China's inbound tourism has gained momentum. In the first quarter of 2025, the country recorded about 7.37 million inbound trips from foreign visitors, up 39.2 percent year-on-year.
Many of these visitors came for more than just sightseeing. They came to catch a glimpse of the dynamism of modern China for themselves, beyond the headlines and filtered narratives. When foreign influencers travel through cities and villages, interact with local communities and share their experiences in real time, they offer the world a valuable window into what China is really like in 2025: a nation of rapid development, cultural continuity and grassroots vitality.
This kind of firsthand storytelling matters. For years, the global image of China has often been shaped by voices that are far removed from reality. Now, with the rise of the short video-sharing platform and livestreaming culture, individuals can cut through political noise and connect directly with millions. These casual encounters help to humanize China, revealing the humor, warmth and hospitality that characterize everyday life here.
China's embrace of this form of organic diplomacy reflects its growing confidence, opting to let real stories from visitors speak louder than slogans. In this context, international influencers can be unlikely, but effective, ambassadors, sparking curiosity and building bridges among their global audiences.
From an economic perspective, tourism-related consumption supports millions of jobs and fuels growth in both urban and rural areas. More importantly, when travelers stay longer and explore deeper, they often become long-term friends of China, returning for business, study or collaboration. Encouraging this kind of repeat engagement is essential for a more open and connected future.
Of course, China is too vast and complex to be fully captured in a single video or journey. But that diversity of perspective is precisely the point. When influencers and travelers venture beyond the skyscrapers of Shanghai or the palaces of Beijing to experience tech parks in Shenzhen or the terraced fields of Yunnan, the global narrative about China becomes more balanced and grounded in real life.
As more global influencers head to China this summer, cameras in hand and curiosity wide open, they bring not just an audience, but a chance for honest storytelling, mutual understanding and friendship across cultures. In today's world, that may be just what we need.
