Ye Shangqing

    1905448346@qq.com

    WINSTON STERZEL is the face of Shenzhen on YouTube. Searching “Shenzhen” in YouTube brings up his videos, which have been viewed more than 8 million times.

    Calling himself “the original China vlogger” Sterzel has posted 584 videos to YouTube since 2006.

    The South African, who was born to British parents, uses a digital camera to film videos with a focus on life in Shenzhen. The videos range from him speaking into the camera while walking down the street to polished guides to parts of Shenzhen.

    Sterzel says his favorite place to film is on small back streets.

    “The people who live on the small streets are more real and natural,” he said. “Also, I try to use videos to help foreigners who live in Shenzhen.”

    Sterzel’s videos include advice on renting an apartment, finding a job and even interviews about intercultural relationships.

    Documenting his life has earned him a following, with people he has never met commenting on his life and asking about people in the videos.

    “I am surprised that some of my Chinese fans helped me add Chinese subtitles to my original [videos], so some Chinese who don’t understand English can watch.” Sterzel said.

    The videos are Sterzel’s hobby and what he is well-known for, but they don’t pay the bills.

    “My daily job is being a trainer, which I survive on. Shooting videos is a hobby, but I am happy that I can make a little money from video advertisements,” said Sterzel, explaining that YouTube pays him some money. Sterzel is also a motorcycle mechanic and an avid rider. He opened a motorcycle shop with two friends in Huizhou.

    Written on Sterzel’s motorcycle helmet are places he has traveled to. Guizhou, Fujian and Hunan are written on his helmet. “Those places impressed me a lot. I like Hunan food. People in Jiangxi Province are so nice,” Sterzel said.