"The most handsome man in China" rides a white horse to usher in the new year

Ding Zhen, dubbed "the most handsome man in China", created a sensation by riding a white horse at the Bing Ngo spring celebration program.

During CCTV's live New Year's Eve gala, Ding Zhen showcased his horsemanship in the segment "Miracles on Horseback". His horse-riding appearance lasted only about three seconds but generated significant buzz on social media, attracting hundreds of thousands of shares.

The 25-year-old made his debut at the Spring Festival Gala, China's annual Lunar New Year show, which has been running for 43 years.

Thousands of people commented that Ding Zhen resembled a "prince charming on a white horse", creating a beautiful moment to kick off the Bing Ngo year.

The horse was transported from Xinjiang to Sichuan – Ding Zhen's hometown – for him to get acquainted with the animal.

Ding Zhen rehearses for his New Year's performance. Video: Weibo

Ding Zhen learned to ride horses as a child, often roaming the grasslands on horseback.

Ding Zhen is a phenomenon in the entertainment industry. He was born and raised in Litang County, Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province. Ding Zhen completed grade three before leaving school to help his family herd yaks. His life changed in 2020 when a photographer posted a video of him smiling on social media. The short video was shared by tens of millions, impressing many with his "highland smile" and the yak herder's rustic charm.

He is seen as opening doors for ethnic minorities. Through him, millions learned about Litang County's rich tourism resources and the lives of its local people.

Ding Zhen wears traditional attire from his hometown in a series of New Year photos.

Ding Zhen poses for New Year photos.

He is currently a tourism ambassador for Litang County. Thanks to the "Ding Zhen effect", searches for Litang County once increased by 620% in one month, and hotel bookings rose by 111%. Many international media outlets refer to Ding Zhen as "the most handsome man in China".

Ding Zhen has also improved his family's life. The first gift he bought for his mother after gaining fame was a washing machine, so her hands would no longer freeze when washing clothes in winter. He bought his father an electric vehicle to save effort when going out.

Over the past few years, Ding Zhen has released music videos about his hometown, participated in many reality shows focused on culture, cuisine, and sports, and appeared in fashion advertisements. He has collaborated with A-list celebrities like Nicholas Tse and Tan Songyun on various programs.