Details of an Indian Blogger’s Shoestring Travels in China: Two Zero-Budget Trips Spark Nationwide Controversy Over Freeloading

[RescueRanger]

An Indian blogger with around 1.8 million YouTube subscribers, nicknamed “the freeloading traveler” and “the beggar” by Chinese netizens, entered China twice and planned “zero-budget backpacking” trips with very little cash: 300 yuan on his first visit and 150 yuan on his second. In reality, he allegedly exploited strangers’ goodwill by hitchhiking, begging, and falsifying visa documents. He also edited videos for overseas audiences in ways that portrayed China negatively. After the incidents came to light in July 2026, they triggered a major public backlash, with people in many places spontaneously refusing to assist or welcome him.

Tourists should not be allowed to enter a country without proving they have sufficient means to cover the duration of their stay:

1. Pre booked hotel rooms
2. Cash/Travellers Cheques based on expected daily spend etc
3. Correct documentation.
4. A good excuse for visit / travel and an itinerary.

These should the base minimum. Being a tourist is a privilege, not a right. People like this leave a bad impression but also spoil the locals attitudes towards genuine tourists.

 

[ety]

Is the part about Indian publicly urinating in Chinese street actually true ? I have no love for them but that behavior is usually reserved for the poorest and most uncultured South Asians, who usually don't have money to travel abroad.

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[Pioneer]

So why can Indians easily obtain Chinese visas? I think. 1. xi believes that a large number of "cheap" African and Indian tourists will reflect his "openness and inclusiveness". 2. After losing a large number of European and American tourists, he chooses low-level "internationalization"

 

[wangdefa]

Problem now is Pakistani travellers may be mistaken for Indians and get backlash

Indeed, due to the unfriendly behavior of Indians, Pakistanis often have to constantly explain to those around them that they are from Pakistan, not India. This adds to the burden for Pakistanis.

 

[peagle]

For the first 5 months this year, 480 K Indians entered China for various reasons. India issued only about 2000 visas Chinese in 2025, not saying that many Chinese want to travel to India. This is insane, the Chinese gov has to stop this.

I though india was boycotting China and Chinese goods, after they received a beating from China and lost land.

 

[ety]

So why can Indians easily obtain Chinese visas? I think. 1. xi believes that a large number of "cheap" African and Indian tourists will reflect his "openness and inclusiveness". 2. After losing a large number of European and American tourists, he chooses low-level "internationalization"

Lol,, there are also many Westerners flocking to China these days since the Chinese free visa policy to many Western countries, that policy doesnt include India. The Western tourists have increased in great numbers in the last two years. You have been living under rock.

 

[PakistanLVR]

Lol,, there are also many Westerners flocking to China these days since the Chinese free visa policy to many Western countries, that policy doesnt include India. The Western tourists have increased in great numbers in the last two years. You have been living under rock.

That’s what I read too - westerners go to cities like Shanghai and others tend to go to this city that starts with a G?

 

[ety]

That’s what I read too - westerners go to cities like Shanghai and others tend to go to this city that starts with a G?

Yeah, you mean Guangzhou, and all the first tier cities. They also going to higher tier numbers cities and also rural China too now.

 

[Watandar]

Yeah, you mean Guangzhou, and all the first tier cities. They also going to higher tier numbers cities and also rural China too now.

What are "first tier" cities ? Did Chinese govt spend a lot of money in beautifying them and on infrastructure in these particular cities ?

 

[ety]

What are "first tier" cities ? Did Chinese govt spend a lot of money in beautifying them and on infrastructure in these particular cities ?

A first-tier city refers to the China's most economically advanced, densely populated, and globally influential metropolitan centers. The classification is widely used by economists, businesses, real estate analysts, and consumers to describe urban areas with the highest levels of infrastructure, wealth, and commercial sophistication. The original first tier cities include Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, and now has 15 more new first tier cities.