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Foreign content creators are increasingly flocking to China, driven by curiosity about a country their followers have long perceived through secondhand narratives. Many discover upon arrival that their experiences often sharply contrast with the stories they’ve been told.
Among them are a 25-year-old Greek traveler on his third trip to China, a Polish vlogger with nearly 600,000 YouTube subscribers, and a Latvian musician making his first visit. All three recently visited Shanghai and shared their impressions across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
For each, the journey was about challenging assumptions. The Greek traveler, who had previously explored Chengdu, Chongqing, and Beijing, noted that Europeans are often conditioned from childhood to see China as a strict, closed society. “We’re told from a young age that China is very strict,” he shared, “but here, I’ve found warm, friendly, and welcoming people.”
The Polish vlogger pointed out that the scale of China can be overwhelming for first-timers. Yet, he highlighted how the extensive high-speed rail network—about 23,000 miles of tracks with trains reaching 220 mph—makes traveling across the country manageable and quickly shifts preconceptions.
The Latvian musician, arriving with no prior experience in China, admitted that the moment he stepped on a Huangpu River cruise, he was struck by the immense size of everything. Having visited New York and Dubai, he wasn’t prepared for what he saw. “I never expected the views on both sides of the boat to be so spectacular,” he said, recommending the cruise to anyone visiting Shanghai.
The Greek traveler, whose content focuses on comparing prices and value, emphasized technological advances as China’s standout feature, like taxi dashboard cameras, autonomous parking, and cutting-edge medical innovations. “China excels in everyday life details,” he remarked. “Small things, but they make a big difference.” Overall, he considers China the most advanced country he has visited after traveling through 32 nations.
The Latvian musician described Shanghai as “like a giant hit song,” praising the skyline of The Bund and Pudong for their stunning beauty, surpassing even Dubai and New York in his view. “It’s the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.”
For those in southern and eastern Europe with limited direct exposure to China, spontaneous firsthand reactions from content creators often carry more credibility than official messaging.
Language barriers were acknowledged by all three, but none saw them as insurmountable, thanks to AI tools and translation apps. “If we want to communicate, we can try,” said the Polish vlogger. The Greek traveler was more straightforward, stating he encountered no real difficulties during his visits. “Traveling in China is very straightforward and simple,” he added.
All three expressed plans to return someday. “Shanghai has to be on your China itinerary,” the Greek traveler advised. “You simply can’t miss it.”
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