As 2024 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on what has truly been an extraordinary year. It was a year of growth, change, and unforgettable experiences.
Personally, I got married, marking one of the most special milestones in my life. Professionally, I expanded my video content and took on new and exciting collaborations, working with more brands than ever before. I also embraced new opportunities as a speaker, sharing my insights with audiences at various events.
Traveling played a significant role in my year—whether for work or personal adventures, I explored new destinations, connected with incredible people, and created memories that will last a lifetime. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights of 2024!
Note: As this is my personal blog, the milestones I’m sharing reflect a mix of moments primarily from my Rachel Meets China blog which I do in my free time and my personal life. These aren’t part of my professional job, but rather some of the key experiences and growth I’ve had throughout 2024—both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. From my wedding to my travels, these reflections highlight just a few of the many special moments that made this year unforgettable. It doesn’t capture everything, but I hope it gives you a glimpse into what made 2024 so meaningful to me.
2024 Recap by Month
January
The year kicked off with an exciting start! I started New Year in Beijing with friends (Michelle and Myra) visiting for a memorable trip that included a visit to some of the most famous hot springs. The month was also packed with collaborations, including a hair partnership with Toni & Guy and a unique video project for work in Puyuan Ancient Town to celebrate Chinese New Year. I also teamed up with Insta360 to feature their latest accessories, capturing stunning views of my travels in a whole new way.
February
February was another month full of both work and fun. Chinese New Year celebrations were in full swing, and we had some wonderful guests in town—Danielle, Sam, and James came to visit, making it an unforgettable time. It’s always so special when people visit Beijing and we get to share our life here!
I also had a quick girls trip to Xiamen with two close friends, Myra and Morag and we had a fantastic time seeing the Tulou cluster buildings and enjoying sea food!
The month was marked by another collaboration with Insta360, where I got to work with their new Insta360 X4. I also visited the Badaling Great Wall in the snow—truly a magical sight. Additionally, I continued my ongoing partnership with the Beijing Tourism Board, promoting the beauty of the city.
March
March was a blend of travel and personal moments. I collaborated with brands like ActivForever and Untour Food Tours to create some exciting content. On the personal side, I went wedding dress shopping with my friend Morag, which was a fun and heartwarming experience ahead of my own big day later in the year!
April
April was a month of celebration and new partnerships. I started working with Catherine de France, Morton’s Steakhouse, Side Street, and Uh Huh Wine Bar, among others. Nathan and I did a Color Run, and turning 31 was another milestone, which I celebrated with a chill dinner and a comedy show with friends.
I also visited Bride Elysse, a wedding venue, which ended up being one of my most-watched videos ever, with over 15 million views!
Of course, the highlight of the month was Morag and Waldo’s wedding on April 17th, where they tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at the British Embassy and Black Sesame Kitchen and the Golden Weasel in the hutongs.
May
May was packed with exciting adventures. I kicked off the month with a May holiday trip to Shanghai with Lauren and Young, followed by a fun Lost Plate Food Tour in the city. On May 18th, I hosted a content creation workshop with Annette, which was great fun.
I also took part in a Spartan Race, and celebrated with a brunch at Regent Hotel on May 26th. The month also saw me speaking at Tsinghua University and almost launching a trip with Elevated Trips to Qinghai (though, unfortunately, we didn’t get enough sign-ups but was a fantastic learning experience).
One of the month’s highlights was a Hollywood Glam photoshoot with Catherine de France.
June
I also had a trip back to Hunan, one of my favorite places in China.
June was another whirlwind of travel and collaborations. Over the Dragon Boat Festival, we rented houses with two groups of friends, where I also worked with a BBQ site.
On June 15th, I celebrated Ilowuna’s birthday with dumplings and a fun Cyber dance session. The following weekend, I collaborated with Feast by East Hotel and Guoce Pool and had the privilege of meeting Drew Binsky in Beijing. The month was also filled with visits, including Scott and Sara, who came to Beijing, and a trip to Fujian, where I met Carla Canales. I ended the month with a goodbye Beijing BBQ for Morag and Waldo.
July
In July, I had the opportunity to collaborate with some luxury brands, including a brunch at the Mandarin Oriental and a staycation at the Kempinski Hotel. It was also a month of personal milestones—on July 15th, we had a pre-wedding photo shoot in the hutongs, which was an unforgettable experience.
Later in the month, I traveled back to the US to see family and attend a friend’s wedding (Michelle and Carl!). My journey took me to Detroit, Chicago, Virginia Beach, Washington DC, and even a quick stop in London!
August
August was another travel-heavy month. I collaborated with the Radisson Hotel Xing Guo in Shanghai and had the opportunity to explore some of the city’s hidden gems, like the Forbidden City, which was open to foreigners without tickets. I also ventured to Suzhou, where I visited the world’s largest wedding dress market—a truly surreal experience!
September
September marked a big personal milestone—I got married on September 18th at the British Embassy, followed by a wedding party on September 21st. It was a beautiful, unforgettable day surrounded by friends. We are looking forward to celebrating with family and friends outside of China next summer.
The month also included a bachelorette party and a memorable trip to Jilin, where I explored Changbaishan. On the professional side, I continued collaborating with brands like Linvina Bridal and Panjiayuan Glasses Shop.
October
October saw more collaborations and high-profile events. I worked with Qinghe Spa and Lost Plate Food Tours again on some exciting projects. I also had the incredible opportunity to meet Ambassador Nicholas Burns and attend two events at the US Ambassador’s residence.
November
November was a busy month of brand collaborations, including working with Bodhi Spa, Pacific Prime, Morton’s, and Bollywood Tales. I also just enjoyed the Beijing autumn season, which was quite long this year! It was a great time to focus on both personal and professional growth.
December
As the year came to a close, December was packed with incredible experiences. I attended the Hainan International Film Festival for work and was honored to be a speaker at FunYoung for the SCOLAR Blogging Event.
One of the highlights of the month was hosting my photo exhibit at Catherine de France, showing some of my photo pieces from solo trips I took back in 2018-2019.
The Christmas caroling party we held on the 20th was another unforgettable moment.
And oh year – I won Beijing Influencer of the Year held by That’s Beijing!
I wrapped up the year by launching a 2025 tour with Shan China Tours and indulging in a luxurious St. Regis Christmas Tea. And, of course, our friend Myra came to visit, making it the perfect end to a phenomenal year.
Social Media Growth: November 2023 – December 2024
2024 has been a year of incredible growth across all my social media platforms, and I’m excited to share the progress!
- On Instagram, my follower count grew by 69.4%, reaching 41,000 followers from 24,200 in November 2023.
- My blog (this website you’re reading!) grew by 106.7% in views, from 241,812 to 499,670 views in a year, and 83% in visitors, from 166,729 to 305,276 visitors in a year.
- WeChat saw a similar increase, with my followers rising by 67.6% to 31,000 from 18,500. Over on YouTube, I gained 1,100 new subscribers, growing by 30.6% to 4,700 subscribers, while X (formerly Twitter) grew by 21%, reaching 4,600 followers from 3,800.
- In November 2024, I also ventured into Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), starting from scratch, but I’m already seeing promising growth.
It’s been an exciting year of growth, and I’m looking forward to continuing to build and engage with my audience across all platforms in 2025!
I may not be a mega influencer, but I’m incredibly proud of the work I’ve done to make traveling in China and Beijing more accessible to others. Every post, video, and blog entry is driven by my passion to share the beauty and experiences of this incredible place with my audience.
I’m so grateful for the kind messages I receive about my blog and the amazing people I meet here in Beijing who are always so supportive. Their (your!) encouragement truly inspires me to keep going and to continue creating content that helps others explore and connect with this vibrant country. It’s the personal connections and the impact I have on my community that mean the most to me.
Looking Ahead
2024 was a year of incredible growth, unforgettable experiences, and personal milestones. As I look ahead to 2025, I am filled with excitement for the opportunities to come. Whether it’s more travel, more collaborations, or simply more time spent with the people I love, I can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes me. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this amazing journey!
