Tibetan herder goes from internet darling to tourism ambassador, now romantic film actor

Five years after Tibetan herder Tenzing Tsondu was hailed as “China’s most handsome man” for a seven-second video clip, he is now a romance film actor who dreams about more experiences in the wider world.Known by his Mandarin name Ding Zhen, he gained overnight fame across the nation, after a travel photographer’s seven-second clip showing his pure smile went viral in November 2020.The account he newly registered on a social media platform garnered two million followers in one day.Many people marvelled at his “innocent smile and unsophisticated eyes”, and wished for him to “stay pure and not become an influencer”.A poster for the film Sumpa Kingdom, above, which stars Ding Zhen. Photo: SinaThe 19-year-old was soon hired as a tourism ambassador by his hometown, Litang County in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwestern China’s Sichuan province.The government promised him a 3,500-yuan (US$500) monthly salary plus social insurance.Online observers considered it a smart move, that Ding could make a better living without “being polluted by the show business”, while using his influence to benefit his home.Five years later, the 24-year-old Ding has appeared in several reality shows, debuted as an actor in the 2025 romance film Everlasting Love.In the film, he plays himself, a Tibetan boy in Garze that plays cupid for the protagonists.Tibetan herdsman Ding above, became an internet sensation thanks to a viral video which showcased his “pure smile” and rugged appearance. Photo: YouTubeIn April, Ding took the first film he starred in to the Beijing International Film Festival. In the events’ videos, Ding wears make-up, and speaks much better Chinese than five years ago.Further ReadingThe film Sumpa Kingdom tells the story of Tibetan youngsters looking at their origins. It was supported by the central and Tibet autonomous regional governments.Ding’s transformation into an actor received a mixed reaction online.Some supported his career breakthrough.One said: “Ding Zhen is better-looking than most Chinese actors. He was born to be an actor.”Ding, riding the white horse, above, has appeared in several reality shows. Photo: YouTubeSome worried that the entertainment industry had inevitably “tainted his pure soul”.They also criticised his increasingly refined appearance, saying that he “looks better without make-up”.Others disagreed, saying that the films and shows Ding starred in are still part of his job as his hometown’s tourism ambassador.Ding’s fame brought an immediate boom to Litang’s tourism.The county reportedly received one million tourists in 2019 and this number increased to over four million in 2024.As a result, more homestays were established and more farmers got to sell their products online. More children got to go to school, growing up in a different way from Ding, who quit school at Primary Three and herded yaks for a living.When he first became famous, Ding said his biggest dream was to be a “horse racing prince”.Now he says he wants to “experience it all for better or worse.” He said: “Having a try is a good experience in itself.”Ding, above, speaks as part of his role as a tourism ambassador. Photo: SinaLast year, Ding tried to be an actor on Memories Beyond Horizon, a talent show that features veteran actors training newcomers.Ding said it helped him discover the magic of “becoming another person”.There have been attacks against his appearance, his pre-fame lifestyles, and his fame itself ever since he went viral.Some said it was “unfair” that Ding Zhen achieved everything because of his beauty, whereas other people need to work hard with no guarantee of success.Ding kept a wise “let it be” attitude about them.Last November, around the five-year anniversary of his sudden fame, Ding posted a letter online.In it, he modestly says that Litang has developed “because it is Litang’s destiny”.He said he could not answer the question “why are you so lucky?”, but hoped that “my luck can bring luck to more people.”