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Eric G visits Shenzhen's Laojie during Tomb Sweeping Day, when the old street is crowded with people celebrating the holiday. He sees street performers, including zombie dancers and Lei Feng impersonators, and walks past souvenir shops and food stalls. The video includes a stop by what is said to be China's first McDonald's, plus a discussion of his former Bendan character and why he is moving on. Eric says Laojie is a tourist spot rather than a place many locals usually visit, and he did not try the food because the crowds were heavy.
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Laojie during Tomb Sweeping Day
Eric G walks through Shenzhen's Laojie during the Tomb Sweeping Festival. The street is crowded, and he records the difference between the busy holiday scene and an ordinary day. He describes Laojie as a popular tourist spot, not necessarily somewhere local residents would choose for a routine visit. His discussion of what counts as “real China” is that the country cannot be reduced to one location; it includes many kinds of places and experiences.
As he moves through the street, Eric meets friendly people and sees performers, including zombie dancers and people impersonating Lei Feng. He also points out tourist-oriented shops and food vendors. One stop is presented as the location rumored to be China's first McDonald's, a claim that remains a local story rather than a confirmed fact in his account. The old street also has signs for food areas, including the character 美食街, and the walk ends with the impression of a crowded holiday environment.
Food streets and a change in style
The crowd makes it difficult for Eric to try the food. He says he did not eat at the stalls because it was too busy and suspects prices may be higher during the holiday. The video nevertheless shows food streets as part of the area's appeal and suggests looking for signs marked “M” or 美食街 when searching for a range of places to eat. During peak periods, Eric advises caution around tourist-facing food courts where prices can rise and quality may not match expectations.
Eric also revisits the Bendan character he used in earlier videos. He says he has made what he wanted to with the persona and is moving on because it felt less relatable to a wider audience and difficult to sustain. The walk ends with his thoughts on crowds, safety and order on Laojie. His account balances the street's tourist activity, local performers and holiday crowds with a personal decision to change his style of video.
Eric's walk also gives him a chance to talk through the idea of “real China.” He treats it as a broad description of the country's variety rather than something confined to one street or attraction. Laojie is useful to him as a tourist-facing area during a holiday because the crowd and performers make a clear scene to observe, but he distinguishes that from the places local residents may choose for everyday errands. The street's food and souvenir stalls sit alongside performers and people celebrating the festival.
The video also marks a transition in Eric's own content. He explains that Bendan was a comedic persona he used earlier and that he is ready to move to other subjects. He found the character less relatable to a wider audience and difficult to balance. During the crowded walk he describes the street as orderly and safe, while still advising visitors to pay attention to tourist prices and food quality. The mix of a holiday crowd, performance, shopping and commentary gives him material to reflect on how he presents China to viewers.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the Bendan character?
- A: Eric says Bendan was a comedic character he used in earlier videos. He feels he has said what he wanted to through the character and is now moving on to other kinds of content.
- Q: Why did Eric choose Laojie for the video?
- A: Eric chose the popular tourist street to show what it looks like during a busy holiday. He says it is not necessarily a place most local residents would visit in their normal routine, but it can represent one side of China for tourists.
- Q: What did Eric think of the food in Laojie?
- A: Eric did not try the food because the street was too crowded. He suspected that prices might be higher during the holiday and also noted food courts as places where tourists should check prices and quality.
- Q: What performers did Eric see?
- A: Eric encounters street performers including zombie dancers and Lei Feng impersonators while walking through Laojie during Tomb Sweeping Day.
