IShowSpeed's China Tour

Darren Watkins Jr., better known online as IShowSpeed, set off on one of his most daring journeys to date in March 2025: a multi-week live-streaming tour throughout China. With streams that received millions of views, Speed—who is well-known for his exuberant antics, sincere nature, and international fan base—sought to establish a true connection with Chinese fans. His plans to stay in China for "maybe like a week or two" have not been formally confirmed, but his livestreams indicate that he spent at least 7 to 10 days traveling through different Chinese cities, taking in the chaos and culture along the way.

Day 1 – Arrival in Shanghai (March 25)

One of the most vibrant and contemporary cities in China, Shanghai, was the starting point for Speed's tour. Over 5.6 million people watched his six-hour video from the city, which went viral right away. He strolled through the busy streets, talked to locals and fans, and took in the vibrant nightlife of the Bund. As he experimented with Chinese mobile payment systems and sampled various street cuisines, his interest in regional traditions and customs was evident.

Day 2 – Subway Rap Battles and Cultural Immersion

During his second day, Speed joined local passengers in freestyle rap sessions on the Shanghai subway. His spontaneous performance, which combined the common rhythm of Chinese urban life with American hip-hop energy, became a symbol of cross-cultural exchange. Older passengers even applauded him, demonstrating how his message cuts across language and age barriers.

Day 3 – The Capital Experience: Beijing (March 27)

Speed journeyed north to Beijing, the capital of China, where he saw famous historical landmarks like the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City. As fans have come to anticipate from his athletic antics, he performed a backflip at the Wall. Additionally, he hooked up with Chinese K-pop star Jackson Wang, and the two played a friendly game of table tennis, bringing East and West fans together in a playful cross-cultural exchange.

Day 4 – Tech City Tour in Shenzhen (March 28)

China's tech center, Shenzhen, came next. Speed was astounded by the city's cutting-edge technology and infrastructure. He was rendered dumbfounded by the drone show he livestreamed, which illuminated the night sky with carefully planned patterns. In addition, he tested vending machines that used facial recognition to collect money (much to his surprise), rode shared electric bikes, and went to a local gadget market where he attempted to converse with store owners in simple Mandarin.

Day 5 – Hot Pot and Hyperactivity in Chongqing (March 29)

Speed traveled to Chongqing, a mountainous city known for its fiery cuisine and winding streets, on the fifth day. He went to a nearby hot pot restaurant and, despite the intense heat, he handled it like a pro. He also took stops to interact with fans and take photographs while streaming from the city's famous hillside lifts and winding alleys.

Day 6 – Livestreaming Meets Diplomacy

The local and even worldwide media had taken notice of Speed's China tour at this time. His efforts to foster "positive relations between China and the United States" were hailed by Chinese state media. He was popular not only with spectators but also with Chinese individuals who valued his authenticity due to his sincere interest in Chinese culture and his polite, inquisitive approach to encounters. He was referred to as a "bridge between cultures" in numerous headlines.

Day 7 – Chaos in Hong Kong

Possibly the most tumultuous part of Speed's trip was his stop in Hong Kong. Fans surrounded him as he tried to move throughout the city, and crowd control soon became a major problem. Things got out of control at Tin Hau MTR station when too many people tried to catch a sight of him, causing disturbances and ultimately prompting him to end his stream. Even while it was a difficult time, it also demonstrated how widely popular he was.

Cultural Curiosity and Viral Moments

Speed didn't hesitate to try new things throughout the trip: he dressed in traditional Hanfu garb, sampled the notorious fermented beverage douzhi, and made an effort to use translation tools to speak in Mandarin. His audience found his emotional moments and wide-eyed reactions, like crying while witnessing a sunset over the Li River, to be refreshingly genuine.

A Streamer’s Global Impact

Although Speed is well-known for his wild humor and exuberant energy, his journey to China showed a more contemplative side. His curiosity, respect, and openness to learning demonstrated that sincere cross-cultural connections may still exist in today's hyper-online society. By presenting his Western audience with a more nuanced picture of contemporary China and providing his Chinese viewers with an opportunity to see one of the most well-known online personalities in person, his visit helped dispel preconceptions on both sides.

IShowSpeed's journey to China was more than simply a travel vlog; it was a chance to interact with people throughout the world. He was able to meet celebrities, try dozens of local experiences, visit at least five major cities, and garner the interest of millions of fans and government media in a single week. Speed made it plain that the world is watching and that he is more than willing to continue exploring it, whether he is performing on a train, eating spicy noodles, or avoiding large crowds.