'Chinamaxxing' piques curiosity of Gen Z in US

Across social media platforms, videos highlighting daily routines, high-speed rail systems and traditional wellness practices have drawn millions of views, making the hashtag #Chinamaxxing a trendy topic. The hashtag has gained traction in recent months, particularly on TikTok.

The term "maxxing" originates from online subcultures centered on self-optimization. From "looksmaxxing" to "healthmaxxing", users seek to improve specific aspects of their lives. In that context, "Chinamaxxing" refers to adopting elements of Chinese daily routines, wellness practices and aesthetics, often framed as a form of lifestyle enhancement.

In one widely shared clip titled "Day 1 of Chinamaxxing", a creator sets the scene with traditional guzheng music as he pours hot water into a cup with honey, describing it as "resetting the body, upgrading the aura, leveling up one sip at a time".

In another video, a user films herself at a dim sum restaurant, eating chow fun and rice noodle rolls, captioning the post: "A very Chinese time of my life." Others have posted clips of themselves doing Chinese-style aerobics, calling themselves "Chinese baddies" and joking that they are "becoming Chinese".

The trend appears to resonate particularly among younger audiences. Pew Research Center findings reveal a clear age gap in US attitudes toward China. The younger the age group, the lower the percentage expressing unfavorable views. Among adults under 30, only 21 percent have a very unfavorable opinion, rising to 27 percent for ages 30-49 and peaking at 37 percent for ages 50-64.

Some analysts suggest this shift in perception may be linked to how younger generations encounter China online.

Younger generations increasingly encounter China through short-form videos, livestreams and peer-to-peer exchanges rather than traditional news coverage. The algorithm-driven nature of platforms such as TikTok often amplifies visually striking content, shaping perception through everyday imagery rather than policy debates.

Shaoyu Yuan, a scholar at New York University's Center for Global Affairs, told The New York Times that the Chinamaxxing trend reflects "a sign of growing cultural cachet", adding that online audiences are increasingly engaging with China through lifestyle trends and aesthetics, rather than viewing it solely through the lens of geopolitical rivalry or security concerns.

This view is echoed by Jing Gao, founder and CEO of Chinese food brand Fly By Jing, who said on her personal TikTok account that the shift is "driven by Gen Z curiosity, humor and daily routines". She said that Chinamaxxing is "not a meme or a trend, but a small, meaningful step in the long process of reordering taste, power and perception, one moment of curiosity at a time".

Broader search

Among those participating in the trend is Matt Soren, a Nashville native who has lived in Chongqing for nearly 17 years. He began creating content about a year ago, documenting daily life in China from the perspective of a US citizen long immersed in the culture under the handle Baimanzhi. He now teaches Mandarin to foreigners living in China.

He believes the rise of Chinamaxxing may reflect a broader search for something different.

"I think it might be because of a dislike for Western culture and wanting to embrace something different," he told China Daily.

Soren suggested that for many of his US viewers, the fascination often begins with his own story — a US citizen who chose to settle long-term in China.

"The American audience is very, I would say, curious and surprised by the fact that I exist," he said. "Just the fact that I am American and I speak Chinese fluently and I've lived there for — it'll be half my life in another year — that is not very, that's not normal."

Soren recently posted a video about Chinamaxxing, offering his own interpretation of what it means to "become Chinese".

"If you really want to be Chinese, go call your grandparents," he said, encouraging viewers to reconnect with family and tradition.

For him, the trend is not just about adopting visible habits.

"If you really want to learn about Chinamaxxing, don't just think about the habits, but think about the heart, the reason behind the things … go dive into it just a little bit deeper and it'll surprise you."

bilinlin@chinadailyusa.com