Chinese wisdom opens new paths in life across cultures

Richer experiences

Braving the summer heat, German art teacher Anke Deber wandered along the Grand Canal, the longest artificial waterway in the world, and cooled off with a refreshing drink made from pear, lotus root and herbal tea.

Thanks to China's visa-free policies, her journey was made easier from the moment she boarded a flight with a Chinese friend. During her trip, she visited landmarks including the Great Wall in North China and West Lake in the east, sketching ancient pavilions and ceramics, and intriguing scenes featuring the charm of Oriental life.

For years, many people's understanding of China was shaped largely by secondhand information and curated impressions. Today, the rise of social media and expanded exchanges facilitated by visa-free policies are reshaping how the world experiences China, with many now doing so through direct encounters, personal stories and everyday interactions.

Since the end of 2025, the trend of "becoming Chinese" has gained momentum on social media. Content creators around the world are drinking hot water, wearing slippers around the house, eating Chinese food and wearing red.

From the short-term experiences of "China Travel" to the cultural resonance sparked by the trend of "becoming Chinese," more foreigners are shifting from simply observing China to embracing Chinese culture in their daily lives.

Meng Man, a renowned cultural scholar at Minzu University of China, said the growing interest in Chinese lifestyles is a natural reflection of China's rising cultural appeal and the increasing resonance between different civilizations.

A Pew Research Center study in July showed that a median of 46 percent of respondents across the 20 countries surveyed annually since 2023 hold a favorable view of China, up from 32 percent in 2023.

Impressions of China are often captured in simple words: safety, convenience and efficiency. These qualities are also among the reasons Colombian teacher Liliana Restrepo chose to settle in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, where she is raising her 10-year-old son.

"I hope living in China will help him see a broader world, understand different cultures and learn to respect them," said Restrepo, 46. For the family from Medellin in Colombia, seven years living in China have brought them closer to the country's traditions and everyday life.

This summer, curious about the Chinese idea of "treating winter diseases in summer," Restrepo took her son to experience Sanfutie, or Sanfu plaster, a centuries-old traditional Chinese medicine therapy.

"Chinese culture has now become a big part of our daily lives," she said.