Karem, the Italian hotel receptionist from Milan who went viral for trying to track down a Chinese candy called "Hsu Fu Chi" using a crumpled wrapper, has taken his "sugar-coated" journey to Shenzhen—and he's totally hooked.
Invited to Guangdong, Karem made Shenzhen a key stop on April 12. His first destination: Huaqiangbei, "China's No. 1 Electronics Street". There, the shy front-desk clerk turned into a tech explorer, marveling at AI glasses with real-time Chinese-Italian translation and gesture-controlled drones.
Trying on AI glasses that offered real-time Chinese-Italian translation, he was amazed and said that everyone might need a pair. When he piloted a gesture-controlled drone, watching it follow his hand movements, he couldn't hide his excitement—and immediately thought of his sons back in Italy, wishing they could be there.
He even "shook hands" with a robotic dog, calling the interaction incredibly real. Learning that Huaqiangbei receives about 7,000 foreign visitors daily, he joked, "I could come here every day!"
In the afternoon, Karem experienced what locals call "Shenzhen speed". Boarding a helicopter at the aviation base of "Heli-Eastern", he took in the city's skyline and coastal mountains—"An unforgettable experience," he said.
Later, at Enshang Wetland Park in Yantian, he tried on an exoskeleton walking robot designed for outdoor hiking. With the device assisting his steps, he walked effortlessly through the green landscape and expressed his wish to take one home for his mother.
From a single piece of Suxin candy—a crisp, peanut-filled Chinese sweet—to the smart innovations of Guangdong, Karem's journey shows that Shenzhen's appeal lies in both its technological edge and its human touch. His candy-inspired adventure has found its warmest, most futuristic chapter in this vibrant city.
Reporter | Cai Minling
Photo | Nanfang Plus, Shenzhen News Network, Yangcheng Evening News, Shenzhen TV News
