According to the South China Morning Post, the trend was sparked by Chinese-American TikTok creator Sherry, known online as @sherryxiiruii.

In a video uploaded on Jan. 5, she jokingly told viewers: “Tomorrow, you’re turning Chinese. I know it sounds intimidating, but resisting it now is pointless.”

In the clip, Sherry discusses winter wellness habits inspired by traditional Chinese medicine, including avoiding cold foods, drinking warm water, wearing slippers indoors, and eating cooked vegetables instead of raw foods. Her playful tone resonated with audiences, and the video quickly drew around 30 million likes.

The post triggered a wave of imitation and commentary, with foreign users humorously declaring their own “transformation.” The trend has since spread across multiple social media platforms. According to Xinhua, reactions have been largely positive, with many viewers describing the practices as “healthy” and “effective.”

“I’m on my second month of drinking hot water, my skin has cleared up and my bloating is gone,” one TikTok user wrote. “It’s amazing.”

“I have congee for breakfast now and feel much better in the mornings,” another commenter said.

Sherry told local media that her family is from Pinghu, a small city in eastern Zhejiang Province, and that she has been immersed in Chinese culture since childhood.

“I often tell people around me that Chinese prefer warm water because it’s better for health,” she said in fluent Chinese. “My American friends are eager to listen and try these habits. I’m happy to share Chinese culture in the U.S. and see foreigners actively engaging with it.”

The trend has also drawn attention in China, where netizens have reacted with a mix of amusement and pride.

“I used to think foreigners only drank cold water because they were healthier,” one commenter wrote. “It turns out they just didn’t know the benefits of warm water.”

Another remarked: “When a country becomes stronger, even its everyday habits start to make sense to the world.”