Malaysia through their lens: Chinese influencers boost local travel buzz

The Star

Social media is reshaping how Chinese tourists explore Malaysia, with platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin becoming go-to travel guides.   Influencers such as Lydia Liu and Lisa Yin are leading the way — sharing authentic experiences, local food, hidden gems, and travel tips that not only informs but also inspires a wave of younger Chinese travellers to see Malaysia as more than just a vacation spot, but a rich and immersive cultural experience.   WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news  SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar  LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

00:00More Chinese tourists are letting their social media dictate where to go, what to eat and what to experience in Malaysia.

00:10From trendy photo spots to viral food finds, platforms like Xiaohongsu and Douyin have become digital tour guides,

00:18with influencers playing a growing role in promoting Malaysia's appeal.

00:22One such influencer is Lydia Liu, a Chinese Muslim who has lived in Malaysia for over two years.

00:28Her content ranges from everything from local food and heritage to public transport tips

00:34and what to do if you lose your belongings while travelling.

00:37I really feel like people. I don't think I can't say anything.

00:42People here are very real.

00:45It's not like many other places.

00:49It's not real, it's not real, it's not real, it's not real, it's not real, it's not real, it's not real, it's not real.

00:55Liu, who first arrived as a student, never set out to be an influencer.

01:00She started creating content as a way to make friends and better understand her new environment.

01:04If you want to spend her new environment.

01:05If you want to spend her new environment, you can also choose to be an influencer.

01:08In China, I didn't do my own influencer.

01:11I was just to go to Malaysia.

01:13After I came to Malaysia, I was to go to Malaysia.

01:14Actually, there's more of a reason because I didn't have any friends here.

01:18And I can understand and know a lot of people.

01:22Her comparisons between Chinese and Malaysian culture are especially popular,

01:26and many of her followers from China regularly reach out for travel and food recommendations.

01:32People will ask me, where I'm going to play, where I'm going to go.

01:37And they will tell me, I'm going to go to Malaysia.

01:40And if there's any advice for a place where I'm going to go to Malaysia,

01:43where I'm going to go to Malaysia.

01:45People will ask me if I can do this.

01:47I'm really happy to help everyone.

01:50Another Malaysia-based influencer is Lisa Yin,

01:53who came here to study at a university in Subangjaya

01:56before the Movement Control Order to curb COVID-19 in 2020.

02:00A self-professed foodie, Yin shares her culinary discoveries online

02:04and recently opened her own noodle shop in Kuala Lumpur.

02:07Now branching into travel and lifestyle content,

02:10Yin counts Penang as a top favourite for its food.

02:13Only one answer.

02:15Binh Chen.

02:16Binh Chen's rhiz, that's what I love to eat.

02:20And Binh Chen has a little bit of fresh fruit,

02:23but it's a bit of fresh fruit,

02:24it's a bit of fresh fruit.

02:28It has a bit of fresh fruit.

02:29Wow, that's so good.

02:31It's in the old house.

02:33Wow, it's so delicious.

02:35Coming from an inland city in China,

02:37Yin is also drawn to Sabah for its pristine beaches and abundant seafood.

02:41She wants to show that Malaysia goes beyond just a tourist destination.

02:46I think that the most important thing to people in China is

02:48the most important thing to travel and travel.

02:51Many people ask me how to prepare for their food,

02:54I would like to help them.

02:57I'm going to go to Malaysia,

02:59I think Malaysia is a lot of people to play with it.

03:00I think Malaysia is a very easy way to play in the world

03:06It's not the same way to play in the world

03:10You know, Malaysia is a very easy way to play in the world

03:19If you want to follow up on a very beautiful scene, I think Malaysia is not suitable for you

03:27But if you want to experience a bit of cultural history,

03:32a bit like the cultural history of the past in Guangdong,

03:39it's a kind of old店.

03:41I think Malaysia is a good one for you.

03:44With their authentic content and personal experiences,

03:48influencers like Liu and Yin are not just finding success in Malaysia.

03:52They're helping to inspire a new generation of Chinese travelers

03:55to see the country through a more vibrant and personal lens.

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