As the Chinese New Year approaches, Shantou, a coastal city in Guangdong Province, has quietly become a gateway connecting the local celebration with a global audience.
Max y Noelia, YouTube creators with a following of over 7.8 million people, visited Shantou to livestream their journey through the city on January 16. Through their livestream, audiences from around the world were invited to experience how Chinese New Year feels in southern China—not through staged performances, but through everyday streets, food, and conversations.
One of the first things that stood out was Guangdong's winter. Unlike the cold often associated with the season, Shantou offered warm and comfortable weather, ideal for walking, exploring, and spending time outdoors. As the creators described it, the atmosphere felt "shufu"—relaxed and comfortable—a perfect backdrop for a New Year journey.
Food became a natural bridge between cultures. During the livestream, Max y Noelia shared meals with local residents, turning dining into a moment of genuine cultural exchange. A memorable highlight was Yashixiang (Duck Shit Aroma) tea, a famous Phoenix Dancong tea from the region. Its unusual name sparked curiosity and laughter, while the story behind it—a clever way to protect a prized tea variety—revealed the humor and wisdom embedded in local traditions.
Beyond food, traditional craftsmanship left a strong impression. Inlaid porcelain art, created by carefully arranging fragments of ceramic by hand, captured attention for both its beauty and the patience required. These moments offered viewers a closer look at how culture in Guangdong is preserved through skills passed down over generations.
As Chinese New Year draws near, the creators recommended experiencing streets like these—places where daily life, architecture, and tradition come together naturally. What surprised them most was Shantou's city center itself: European-style buildings blended seamlessly with Chinese cultural elements, reflecting the city's history as an open port and creating a landscape unlike anywhere else in the world.
An open invitation
If you are a content creator or influencer from anywhere in the world and want to experience Chinese New Year in Guangdong, China, through your own lens, you're welcome to reach out.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Photo: Li Fangwang, Qin Shaolong
Cameraman: Qin Shaolong
Video Editor: Guo Hongda
Poster: Guo Hongda
Editor: Hu Nan, Ou Xiaoming, James Campion, Shen He
