糖心传媒

All of this is part of a broader social media trend dubbed “Chinamaxxing”.

Out of context it may seem strange: thousands of Chinamaxxing videos – often with the caption “you’ve met me at a very Chinese time in my life” – show users of various backgrounds partaking in traditional Chinese practices and wellness rituals. This may look like going to bed early, wearing slippers indoors, eating congee, or doing traditional stretches to improve energy flow.

The Chinamaxxing trend is a unique example of digitally mediated . It reflects the West’s general growing interest in traditional Chinese medicine and culture – and more broadly shows us how social media can reshape the way think about and engage with other cultures.

Ideas of wellbeing in China

are increasingly shaping how cultures are understood and shared.

Recent articles have documented this shift. Journalist Zoey Zhang’s reporting on the TikTok trend describes how non-Chinese are experimenting with wellness habits rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. This holistic framework, developed over centuries, is grounded in theories of qi (vital energy), (complementary forces), and .

Some videos are tongue–in-cheek – akin to parody. But as Zhang and , many represent a genuine attempt to engage thoughtfully with Chinese culture. And in most cases, even the humorous videos aren’t making fun at the expense of Chinese people or culture.

Global Times reporter Xu Liuliu signals a move from a surface-level fascination to a more reflective form of engagement with Chinese culture. For instance, many users point out how Chinese practices associated with moderation, balance and longevity can function as antidotes to .

Viral trends as soft power

Viral memes such as “you’ve met me at a very Chinese time in my life” aren’t just trivial; they can be viewed as . Memes help condense complex cultural narratives and practices into an engaging and shareable format.

For example, a short TikTok video about refusing iced water stands in for a centuries-old medical philosophy tied to concepts of and internal heat.

Through repetition, these kinds of visual narratives can become familiar, or even desirable, to audiences far removed from their original context.

It’s an example of “”, which refers to a country’s ability to shape global perceptions of it through its portrayal of culture and values.

In the age of TikTok, and Instagram, soft power no longer flows only through film studios or . It also moves through influencers’ kitchens, aesthetic vlogs and comment sections.

This latest wave of content promoting Chinese culture feels intimate, domestic and desirable.

Is it appropriation?

The Chinamaxxing trend has led many to ask an important question: are we seeing cultural appreciation, , or something in between?

Many users adapt and , and may lose important context or histories in doing so. On TikTok and Instagram, traditional Chinese medicine may be reduced to a checklist of habits: avoid cold drinks, boil ginger, prioritise rest. These kinds of oversimplifications risk detaching practices from the important philosophies underpinning them.

At the same time, it would be reductive to dismiss the entire trend as mere . Many creators credit their sources, share family stories and collaborate across cultures. And many are themselves members of the living in the West.

Rather, we might view the trend as a kind of trans-cultural renaissance, mediated by .

Why this moment matters

The trend has largely been driven by Gen Z users based in the United States. Although it’s hard to know for sure, some commentators think it may stem from this group’s growing disenchantment towards its own government.

The popularity of this content speaks to several contemporary Western anxieties. culture, climate uncertainty and economic precarity have made the West’s hyper-optimised self-care culture feel hollow.

This trend of celebrating Chinese culture comes at a time when some Western ideological structures are coming under intense scrutiny. Perhaps this is making Western audiences question whether the they’ve been exposed to through their own institutions ought to be questioned.

The challenge is to remain reflective. Engagement can – but only if curiosity extends beyond memes. Drinking hot water may be simple, but understanding the worldview behind it requires more sustained inquiry.

As digital user-generated content continues to dissolve , it is in our collective interest to connect with one another beyond the algorithm.

, Teaching Associate, Faculty of Education,

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