American internet celebrity IShowSpeed recently embarked on a whirlwind tour of China, setting social media ablaze at home and abroad.
The 20-year-old influencer, known for his over-the-top streaming style, visited Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, and more—livestreaming his journey in uninterrupted, single-take videos.
His camera captured a vibrant mix of modern and traditional China: Chongqing’s monorail passing through buildings, livestreaming inside high-speed rail tunnels, learning yangge from square-dancing grannies, kung fu training at Shaolin Temple, test-driving the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, and climbing the Great Wall in colorful folk attire.
While foreign influencers exploring China is nothing new, recent years have seen a shift beyond traditional tourist hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Guilin. Emerging hotspots such as Chengdu, Chongqing, and Zhangjiajie are gaining attention—often thanks to viral content.
Influencers like IShowSpeed are increasingly featuring China at the top of their social media feeds, making the country a go-to formula for engagement and viral reach.
According to China’s latest Statistical Communiqué on National Economic and Social Development, inbound tourism surged in 2024, with 131.9 million visits, up 61% year-on-year, recovering to over 90% of 2019 levels, far surpassing 2023’s rebound rate.
Whether this surge in viral travel content can translate into sustained growth for China’s inbound tourism remains to be seen—but it’s clear that foreign influencers are becoming an unexpected yet powerful force in reshaping how the world sees China.
