Foreign influencers share the real, colorful and vibrant China

Zhou Qing'an, dean of Tsinghua University's School of Journalism and Communication, echoes online exchanges open a door not only for the world to learn about China but for China to speak to the world.

As China expands its visa-free entry policy, foreign tourists and travel bloggers are seizing the opportunity to explore the country and share their journeys online.

German traveler Kilian Hermes recently visited Chongqing and shared his experiences, including taking high-speed trains and eating popular local cuisine.

His posts quickly went viral.

"It's my first time in China. China is just something you need to see yourself to believe it," Hermes says. "I video call my friends every day to show them around and they are all shocked. No one knows what the real China looks like. I never felt so safe in a country. Everyone is so friendly."

French photographer Nicolas Cornet visited Mount Huangshan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for the eighth time earlier this year. Cornet says China's visa-free policy has made his two most recent trips there much easier.

His photographs of Mount Huangshan, which were exhibited at a photography festival in the United Arab Emirates in February, helped inspire interest in traveling to the scenic area.

British travelers Joel Friend and Emilia Beattie have posted a series of travel vlogs documenting their four-week trip across China. The adventure, which they did without a travel guide, allowed the two and their followers to see a true and vibrant China.

Austrian businessman Armin Schober has also gained fame for sharing his life in China. He and his wife run a homestay and a pizza and coffee shop in two villages at the foothill of Mount Huangshan.

"I would like to be a bridge between China and the rest of the world," Schober says.