Move over matcha lattes – Gen Z is brewing herbal chrysanthemum tea and swapping late-night fries for midnight congee! 🥣 A viral #BecomingChinese movement sweeping social media shows young people worldwide adopting Chinese-inspired wellness habits this year, blending ancient traditions with modern lifestyles.
From TCM to TikTok Trends
2026's hottest wellness hacks? Walking in fluffy slippers for 'kidney protection' and wearing red clothing after the recent Spring Festival celebrations. Chinese dietary staples like bone broth and goji berries now appear in New York dorm rooms and London meal-prep videos alike.
Cultural Cross-Pollination Goes Next-Level
This isn't just about wellness – China's creative explosion continues captivating global youth:
🎬 Ne Zha 2 broke global animation records this Lunar New Year
🎮 Black Myth: Wukong dominates Twitch streams worldwide
📱 Xiaohongshu trends spark international fashion collabs
Soft Power Meets Scroll Power
China's cultural influence hit new heights in 2025's Global Soft Power Index, ranking #2 worldwide. With 48 countries now enjoying visa-free access to the Chinese mainland, platforms like Xiaohongshu bridge digital and physical cultural exchange. As one Berlin-based creator posted: 'Finally seeing China through Chinese eyes, not Western algorithms!' 👀
