When U.S. TikTok fashion creator Kris Dew joined Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu (RedNote), she didn’t expect her DMs to become a gateway to cross-cultural understanding. “Chinese netizens are the most welcoming people I’ve ever met,” she says, describing her inbox as flooded with invites to explore cities, pet photos 🐾, and scenic snapshots from across the country.
Kris admits she initially believed U.S. media narratives about “smog-filled skies” and child labor in factories. But chatting directly with residents changed everything. “They showed me their daily lives—parks, tech hubs, families—and none of the stereotypes were true,” she explains. 🌆👨👩👧
Her story highlights how social media bridges divides. “When you talk to real people, not headlines, you see the world differently,” Kris adds. From Shanghai skylines to Chengdu’s pandas 🐼, her feed now bursts with China’s vibrant diversity—one DM at a time.
