Chongqing - Wearing cotton slippers, drinking hot water, simmering apple-infused drinks, practicing Baduanjin—a traditional Chinese fitness routine—these once-humble daily habits are now trending across global social media. Under the tongue-in-cheek label “Becoming Chinese,” young internet users abroad are enthusiastically sharing their attempts to adopt what they call a “Chinese-style lifestyle.”
Screenshot from overseas social media platforms.
On TikTok, a video declaring “Starting tomorrow, you’re becoming Chinese” quickly racked up millions of views, with comment sections filled with replies like “I’m already becoming Chinese.” Another viral line—“Nice to meet you at this very Chinese stage of your life”—has sparked waves of parody and participation. Across platforms, thousands of users post videos of themselves brewing tea, cooking porridge, drinking warm water, or swapping shoes for padded slippers.
Screenshot from overseas social media platforms.
What lies behind this unexpected global imitation trend is not a literal desire to change nationality, but a growing appreciation for the practical wisdom embedded in everyday Chinese life. Practices such as drinking warm beverages, eating seasonal foods, keeping warm in winter, and engaging in gentle daily exercise are increasingly seen as simple, effective ways to care for both body and mind. Chinese netizens have jokingly joined in, suggesting the next “lesson” might be wearing long underwear in cold weather or keeping the abdomen covered while sleeping, together building what some call a “global wellness community.”
What makes this wave different from earlier foreign fascination with China is its focus. Instead of iconic symbols like the Great Wall, kung fu, or pandas, attention has shifted from spectacle to everyday life, from abstract images to real people. This reflects a broader shift in how cultural exchange occurs. In the past, many overseas perceptions of China were shaped largely by Western media narratives, often filtered through stereotypes. Today, social media enables direct interaction: foreign users can compare notes with Chinese netizens in real time, while visa-free transit policies and easier travel make first-hand experiences of the country possible.
Screenshot from overseas social media platforms.
Following earlier online trends such as “China travel” and cross-platform cultural exchanges, the “Becoming Chinese” phenomenon represents another moment in which ordinary people around the world express a genuine desire to understand Chinese culture as it is lived, not just as it is portrayed.
As China continues to move forward with steady development—posting around 5 percent economic growth in 2025—its everyday lifestyle is resonating beyond its borders. Cultural exchange, after all, is not only about traditions or symbols, but about shared aspirations for a healthier, more balanced life. In that sense, the global embrace of Chinese-style wellness speaks to values that transcend national boundaries.
To all those joining the “Becoming Chinese” trend, the message from China is simple: welcome!