A social media influencer has been awarded 500,000 yuan (US$73,500) by the Tibet tourism authority after a viral road trip video sparked a surge of interest in the region. The blogger, posting under the handle @Liyaode, documented a 2,200-kilometer trek from his home in Chongqing to Lhasa, the capital of the Tibetan autonomous region.
15 Million Likes in 24 Hours
The video hit the internet on July 4. It featured a daring premise: the creator hailing a taxi to travel from southwestern China all the way to the Tibetan plateau. The response was immediate. According to Jiupai News, the content racked up 15 million likes within a single day of posting.
The High Cost of Digital Visibility
The 500,000-yuan prize is a direct reward for the visibility @Liyaode brought to the region's landmarks and its accessibility. It is a calculated move.
Turning a Taxi Ride into Economic Stimulus
This is part of a broader trend.
