After visiting 21 provinces across China over the last two and a half years, our lives have changed in ways we never expected. In this video, we share our honest thoughts on travelling China, what we’ve learned creating content there, the opportunities China has given us, and why our perspective on the country has evolved so much. May 2026 | Vlog 619 | Shenzhen, China. 21/34 China Provinces. When we finally started our adventure
After 21 provinces, Reanne and Ben share honest reflections on China's life-changing impact, from factory tours to the emotional tug of leaving.
At the end of a two‑and‑a‑half‑year China journey, Reanne and Ben open up about how the country has reshaped their lives. Between a surprising hair‑transplant consultation, the real grind behind their YouTube channel, and the emotional pull of leaving, they share why China is a bucket‑list destination and why they're already planning their return.
After visiting 21 provinces across China over the last two and a half years, our lives have changed in ways we never expected. In this video, we share our honest thoughts on travelling China, what we’ve learned creating content there, the opportunities China has given us, and why our perspective on...
Honest China Travel Reflections: 21 Provinces & Life Changes
After two and a half years traversing 21 Chinese provinces, this British couple reveals how the Middle Kingdom transformed them. From Shenzhen to the heart of China, they share honest reflections on travel, content creation, and unexpected opportunities. A must-watch for anyone curious about real China beyond the headlines.
In this reflective video, Reanne and Ben pack up their Shenzhen hotel room on their last day before flying back to England. The day begins with a surprising hair‑transplant consultation that doesn't go as planned – Ben learns his follicles need to strengthen before he can have another procedure, a candid moment that reveals the personal insecurities behind the travel vlog.
Over a coffee at their new favourite brand, Mstand, the couple opens up about the real work of being travel YouTubers. They explain how they've never been paid for any of the half‑dozen factory tours they've filmed – from BYD to Great Wall Motors – and why they take free opportunities when the content is good. Ben shares the story of cold‑calling a WeChat number to get into a closed factory, proving that relationships and hustle matter more than immediate money.
The conversation turns to their biggest mistake: copying other YouTubers. It took them 200–300 videos to find their own style, and they warn against competing with creators who have whole teams. Reanne and Ben also talk about the mental battle of leaving China – the excitement of seeing family mixed with the fear of losing momentum. They admit that saying goodbye to a country that has given them endless content, high‑speed trains, robots, and a different universe feels like a genuine loss.
They end with practical advice: always film everything because you never know when something dramatic will happen, and if you're thinking of starting a travel channel, put China on your bucket list. The video closes with a sneeze, a dash to the airport, and a promise to return.
