At the 2026 China New Cultural and Creative Market & Trendy Toy Carnival in Beijing's Chaoyang Park, Mengjie joined African influencers for an immersive "blind-box adventure," exploring China's latest creative cultural trends.
The first stop featured some of China's most popular IPs, including Pop Mart, Labubu, Wakuku and classic titles like The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven. Blind boxes, plush toys and collectible figures drew crowds of young visitors and overseas influencers eager to experience China's booming designer toy culture. African food blogger Addaddis Foods called the event "an amazing carnival," while South African influencer Angelo Mokonenyane shared his excitement for Black Myth: Wukong, saying he had already completed the game.
52 TOYS, a Chinese maker of collectible figurines, showcased its hit products such as Panda Roll figures, assembly-style blind boxes and plush keychains, which are especially popular among young consumers. Ethiopian influencer Mercury Habtamu highlighted panda-themed collectibles as his favorite, saying he would love to bring them home for friends and family.
The second stop explored China's intangible cultural heritages. Traditional crafts including cloisonné, filigree inlay and Longquan celadon were demonstrated live by master artisans, giving visitors a close-up look at Chinese craftsmanship. Once limited to exhibitions, intangible heritage is now increasingly part of modern youth culture and cross-cultural exchange.
The journey continued into the museum-themed zone, where leading Chinese museums presented popular cultural products and interactive experiences. Fridge magnets from the National Museum, Sanxingdui bronze-mask souvenirs and robotic installations reimagined history in a more playful, trendy way. South African influencer Onezwa Mbola said she loved Wakuku and Labubu, describing them as "very cute," and shared that she already owns a Labubu figure.
Beyond toys and collectibles, the blind-box journey revealed deeper cultural connections. Through shared interests in games, design toys, heritage crafts and museum creations, young people from different countries connected naturally — and turned discovery into friendship.
