American YouTuber and internet firecracker IShowSpeed—or as he’s affectionately known in China, “Jia Gang Ge”—has taken the Chinese internet by storm.
Watch: iShowSpeed Viral Video with Chinese Women
Speed, who’s already a global name with over 37 million subscribers on YouTube, recently made his way to China and accidentally became the talk of the town (well, entire country actually).
His journey kicked off on 24 March when he landed in Shanghai, immediately diving into the city’s vibrant culture. With a camera in hand and chaotic energy to match, Speed wandered the streets, tried weird snacks, and brought his usual loud but loveable vibe to Chinese livestream viewers.
After leaving Shanghai, he headed to Beijing where things really got interesting. He visited the Forbidden City, had a go at fermented green bean juice (douzhi, which he didn’t exactly love), and gave boiled pork tripe (bao du) a brave shot.
But it wasn’t just food. Speed even took on traditional Chinese martial arts—imagine high kicks, serious poses, and a lot of falling over. The local media couldn’t get enough. Clips of his over-the-top reactions and hilarious one-liners quickly spread on Chinese platforms like wildfire.
One of the most unforgettable moments came when he climbed the Cloud Ladder on Mount Fuxi in Henan—a terrifyingly steep staircase that would make most people cry. Naturally, Speed just screamed “Oh my god!” the whole way up, leaving fans howling with laughter.
Another big wow moment happened onboard China’s famous high-speed train. Speed was blown away that the internet still worked perfectly, even while zooming through tunnels. “This is crazy!” he said, genuinely amazed mid-stream.
What’s winning hearts in China isn’t just his reactions though—it’s his genuine curiosity. He chats with locals, shows real excitement for the culture, and never acts above anything he’s doing. Whether he’s biting into mystery street food or trying not to fall off a temple step, there’s an honesty that’s hard not to love.
Chinese netizens have warmed up to him fast. Many say they see him less as a random foreign influencer and more like a mate who’s truly trying to understand and appreciate the country.
Even the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. gave him a shoutout, praising his role in helping bridge cultures through open-minded exploration and just… being himself.
In a world full of polished influencers and scripted travel vlogs, IShowSpeed’s wild, unfiltered, and slightly chaotic Chinese adventure has become something refreshing. Through all the noise, he’s offering the world a different lens to see China—less politics, more people.
And for China, it looks like Jia Gang Ge isn’t just passing through—he might’ve found a second home.