{"id":26149,"date":"2025-04-04T20:47:49","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T12:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/?p=26149"},"modified":"2025-04-04T20:47:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T12:47:49","slug":"ishowspeed-china-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/ishowspeed-china-tour.html","title":{"rendered":"IShowSpeed&#8217;s China Tour: A Journey Redefining Global Perceptions"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"37c28470d9d6d3cb9ff74e663adb766a\" data-index=\"2\" style=\"float: none; margin:0px 0 0px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3594734025006597\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p>In March 2025, American internet sensation Darren Watkins Jr., better known as IShowSpeed or &#8220;Jia Kang Ge&#8221; (Hyperthyroid Brother) in China, embarked on a groundbreaking journey across the country, captivating millions worldwide with his unfiltered, immersive livestreams. With over 37 million YouTube subscribers and a reputation for chaotic, high-energy content, Speed\u2019s China tour became a cultural phenomenon, blending humor, curiosity, and raw authenticity to challenge Western stereotypes about the nation.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/ishowspeed-china-tour.html\/#A_Mavericks_First_Steps_in_the_East\" title=\"A Maverick\u2019s First Steps in the East\">A Maverick\u2019s First Steps in the East<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/ishowspeed-china-tour.html\/#Cultural_Immersion_Kung_Fu_Tea_and_Pandas\" title=\"Cultural Immersion: Kung Fu, Tea, and Pandas\">Cultural Immersion: Kung Fu, Tea, and Pandas<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/ishowspeed-china-tour.html\/#Tech_Speed_and_the_Future\" title=\"Tech, Speed, and the Future\">Tech, Speed, and the Future<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/ishowspeed-china-tour.html\/#Breaking_Barriers_From_Viral_Memes_to_Diplomatic_Praise\" title=\"Breaking Barriers: From Viral Memes to Diplomatic Praise\">Breaking Barriers: From Viral Memes to Diplomatic Praise<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/ishowspeed-china-tour.html\/#The_Legacy_of_a_Global_Meme\" title=\"The Legacy of a Global Meme\">The Legacy of a Global Meme<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Mavericks_First_Steps_in_the_East\"><\/span>A Maverick\u2019s First Steps in the East<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-26150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IShowSpeeds-China-Tour1.jpeg\" alt=\"IShowSpeed's China Tour\" width=\"720\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IShowSpeeds-China-Tour1.jpeg 720w, https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IShowSpeeds-China-Tour1-300x188.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/>Speed\u2019s adventure began in Shanghai on March 24, where he kicked off a six-hour livestream that drew 5.6 million viewers . From the neon-lit skyscrapers of Pudong to the historic Bund, he marveled at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/knowledge\/tech\">China\u2019s modernity<\/a>, testing its 5G network and <a href=\"https:\/\/baike.baidu.com\/item\/%E5%85%B1%E4%BA%AB%E5%8D%95%E8%BD%A6\/20119704\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">\u5171\u4eab\u5355\u8f66<\/a> (shared bikes) while interacting with locals. His viral moment came aboard a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.12306.cn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">350 km\/h high-speed train<\/a>, where he exclaimed, \u201cChina wins! Even in tunnels, the 2K stream doesn\u2019t lag!\u201d \u2014 a stark contrast to his previous experiences in New York\u2019s subway .<br \/>\nThe tour then took him to Beijing, where he explored the Great Wall and participated in a spontaneous street performance, dancing to \u201c\u9633\u5149\u5f69\u8679\u5c0f\u767d\u9a6c\u201d with fans . His candid reactions \u2014 from struggling with \u8c46\u6c41 (fermented soybean milk) to praising the efficiency of Alipay \u2014 resonated deeply, with viewers noting how his unscripted interactions shattered myths of a &#8220;closed-off&#8221; China .<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cultural_Immersion_Kung_Fu_Tea_and_Pandas\"><\/span>Cultural Immersion: Kung Fu, Tea, and Pandas<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In Henan Province, Speed delved into China\u2019s rich heritage. At the Shaolin Temple, he trained with monks, attempting kung fu moves and receiving a spiritual lesson: \u201cFriendship is not about money; it\u2019s about our shared humanity\u201d . The episode became his most-watched, with TikTok clips surpassing 10 million views . He later tackled the vertigo-inducing Fuxi Mountain Sky Ladder, gasping \u201cMy God!\u201d as he ascended its 3,000 steps .<br \/>\nIn Chengdu, Speed embraced local culture with gusto. He donned a panda makeup at Kuanzhai Alley, sipped \u76d6\u7897\u8336 (covered-bowl tea) at Renmin Park, and was startled by Sichuan opera\u2019s fire-breathing act . A highlight was his encounter with a Chongqing-based farmer-turned-influencer who gifted him \u8363\u660c\u5364\u9e45 (Rongchang braised goose), sparking global curiosity about the dish .<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tech_Speed_and_the_Future\"><\/span>Tech, Speed, and the Future<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-26151\" src=\"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IShowSpeeds-China-Tour2.jpeg\" alt=\"IShowSpeed's China Tour2\" width=\"720\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IShowSpeeds-China-Tour2.jpeg 720w, https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IShowSpeeds-China-Tour2-300x188.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/>Speed\u2019s fascination with China\u2019s tech ecosystem reached new heights during a test drive of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra. Impressed by its 1.98-second 0\u2013100 km\/h acceleration and $70,000 price tag, he declared it \u201cfaster than my Lamborghini!\u201d . His unsponsored enthusiasm for Chinese innovations \u2014 from high-speed rail to seamless mobile payments \u2014 contradicted Western narratives of tech inferiority, earning praise from the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. .<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Breaking_Barriers_From_Viral_Memes_to_Diplomatic_Praise\"><\/span>Breaking Barriers: From Viral Memes to Diplomatic Praise<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Speed\u2019s tour became a bridge between cultures. His TikTok videos of interacting with Chinese fans \u2014 including a face-to-face sing-along with a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kugou.com\/mixsong\/bi5y962a.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">\u9633\u5149\u5f69\u8679\u5c0f\u767d\u9a6c<\/a>\u201d devotee \u2014 garnered millions of shares, while his YouTube comment section filled with stories of viewers revising their views on China . The Chinese Foreign Ministry acknowledged his impact, stating that his livestreams provided \u201ca window into a real, vibrant China\u201d .<br \/>\nYet, the journey wasn\u2019t without controversy. Western outlets questioned the authenticity of his experiences, but Speed\u2019s team clarified that the tour was self-funded, with no corporate or government ties . Fans countered skepticism by highlighting \u7ec6\u8282 like stable 5G in high-speed trains \u2014 a feat rarely matched in the West .<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Legacy_of_a_Global_Meme\"><\/span>The Legacy of a Global Meme<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As Speed departed China, his legacy loomed large. His Douyin (China\u2019s TikTok) account surged to 2 million followers in days, while his Weibo debut drew millions of views . His tour proved that cultural exchange could thrive through humor and honesty, not propaganda. As one U.S. fan commented, \u201cSix hours of Speed in China did more to debunk anti-China lies than decades of Western media\u201d .<br \/>\nIShowSpeed\u2019s China tour wasn\u2019t just a travel vlog \u2014 it was a cultural earthquake, reminding the world that the best stories are told not through filters, but through unscripted moments of wonder. As Speed himself put it, \u201cChina is not what they said. It\u2019s\u2026 amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"37c28470d9d6d3cb9ff74e663adb766a\" data-index=\"2\" style=\"float: none; margin:0px 0 0px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3594734025006597\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; margin: 0; padding: 0; clear: both;\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In March 2025, American internet sensation Darren Watkins Jr., better known as IShowSpeed or &#8220;Jia&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26150,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[84],"tags":[4232,4224,4225,4219,4201,4227,4234,4221,3628,4229,4223,4218,3335,4226,4231,4233,4220,4230,4228,4222],"class_list":["post-26149","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-2025-travel-trends","tag-5g-technology","tag-alipay","tag-china-tour","tag-chinese-internet-culture","tag-chongqing-cuisine","tag-cultural-diplomacy","tag-cultural-exchange","tag-douyin","tag-global-perceptions","tag-high-speed-rail","tag-ishowspeed","tag-shaolin-temple","tag-sichuan-opera","tag-tech-innovation","tag-unscripted-content","tag-viral-livestreams","tag-viral-memes","tag-weibo","tag-xiaomi-su7-ultra"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26149","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26149"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26149\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26152,"href":"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26149\/revisions\/26152"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26149"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26149"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whatchina.cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26149"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}