Explaining the nuances of history captures more attention by using a unique approach, Yang Feiyue reports.
Zhang Bin, a tour guide in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, recently changed his working approach. Widely known as Bingdan (“ice egg”), an influencer in his 30s with more than 8 million followers on short-video platform Douyin, he released a tour guide video with English subtitles late last month.
“Riding a bike on the ancient city wall is certainly a nice tourist experience, but why not see the Terracotta Warriors now that you are here,” Zhang comments in the video about a video posted by an international tourist who recently visited the city.
In the video, Zhang also recommends local specialties travelers shouldn’t miss out on and demonstrates how to make digital payments using their mobile phones.
It’s his latest endeavor to convey the city’s charm to inbound travelers, as he has witnessed the country’s commitment to welcoming international tourists.
Last month, about 400 representatives of governments, institutions and tourism-related enterprises of two of the world’s biggest economies attended the 14th China-US Tourism Leadership Summit held in the ancient Chinese city of Xi’an. Zhang accompanied them to several well-known tourist attractions during their stay, including the Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City, a 2.1-kilometer street where Tang-style architecture, featuring flying eaves and layered pavilions, abound and the glorious culture of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) is presented in modern style.
Carrying a distinctive local accent, Zhang rose to fame with his humorous delivery on the Terracotta Warriors at Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum. “I tend to use humor to pique more curiosity about the history and culture of Xi’an, maintaining tourists’ enthusiasm,” Zhang explains.
He often interlaces the Shaanxi dialect and anecdotes about the museum with technical explanations to liven up the trip, which usually lasts more than two hours.
Zhang has a bag of tricks to enhance his delivery of those cultural relics. He jokingly shows the resemblances between certain Terracotta Warriors figurines and entertainment celebrities.
This is always widely appreciated.
