China Travel has become a popular trend on social media, with foreign tourists sharing their experiences in China through videos. The trend has garnered millions of views and is motivating more people to explore the country.
As the country experiences a surge in popularity among international tourists, three foreign influencers have shared their travel and life experiences in China with China Global Television Network (CGTN).
Kourosh Kamyabi, a social media influencer from Canada who runs the account KSquared, said Shanghai's charm deeply attracted him.
"I saw a video online of what Shanghai looks like today. I said wow. I never see this. I have to go check this out. We went to Shanghai, and it was such a beautiful, modern city, very grand, very nice," he said.
On his first trip, Kamyabi visited the site of the first National Congress of the Communist Party of China, describing it as a valuable and enjoyable experience that deepened his understanding of the country.
"That museum gave me an idea of why this party came to be. It seems like China historically was being treated really bad and really unfair. So it seems like some strong figures had to come into power to make China a respectable country, a more powerful country. And that explains why China is where it is today," he said.
In the first five months of 2024, China welcomed over 12 million foreign travelers, with more than 7 million benefiting from visa-free entry. Citizens from 54 countries can enter China through 37 designated ports with valid travel documents and stay for up to 144 hours.
Kamyabi expressed his intention to obtain a longer-term visa for his next trip to China, as he plans to spend an extended period - ideally two weeks to a month - exploring the country.
Paul Ashton, an American social media influencer who has been living in China for seven years, coined the popular catchphrase "City by City," a blend of English and Chinese that is rapidly gaining traction on social media.
"A lot of us that are here have known for a while, we're based here, because we know China's got a lot to offer," he said.
Foreign visitors now frequently associate China with safety, modernity, cleanliness, and kindness - qualities that are also leading many to choose to settle in the country.
Antoine Bunel, a Frenchman who has lived in China for over a decade, has gained significant popularity by creating food content on social media.
"Pretty much every time I discover new dishes, the variety, probably without a doubt, surpasses all of the food that we have in France and probably even in Europe combined. China is a huge country, and it's a never-ending source of pleasure for me," Antoine said.
Having lived in China for many years, Paul and Antoine, who know the country inside out, said they are far from getting bored. They noted that there is always something new to experience in China, whether for first-time visitors, long-term residents, or even locals.
Paul emphasized that travel is the best way to better understand foreigners, as it allows people to experience cultures firsthand and engage directly with those who live there.
"Travel is such an amazing way for people to kind of subvert global narratives, to be able to actually experience a culture firsthand, to talk to people that are there. I think it is always a healthy way for us to better understand each other internationally," said Paul.
China's visa-free policy helps more foreigners better understand China: overseas influencers
