China has one of the most unique and powerful social media ecosystems in the world. Because global platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter are blocked in mainland China, Chinese companies have built their own massive digital communities. Today, Chinese social media platforms serve billions of users, shaping trends in entertainment, shopping, news, gaming, education, and even daily payments. From short videos and live streaming to messaging and social commerce, these platforms combine multiple features into “super apps” that do much more than just social networking. In this guide, we’ll explore the top 10 Chinese social media platforms you should know about, with a focus on what it does, who uses it, and why it matters in China’s digital world.
1. WeChat (微信)
WeChat is the most powerful and widely used social media platform in China, with over a billion active users and an unmatched range of features. Originally launched as a messaging app, WeChat has evolved into a “super app” that combines chat, social networking, mobile payments, shopping, booking services, games, news, and even government services. Users can post updates on “Moments,” similar to Facebook’s timeline, share photos and videos, comment on friends’ posts, and follow official accounts from brands, media, and celebrities. WeChat is used by everyone, from students and office workers to grandparents, and it plays a central role in daily life, from paying for groceries to booking doctor appointments, making it the most important social platform in China.
2. Weibo (微博)
Weibo is often described as China’s version of Twitter, but with more multimedia features and a stronger focus on entertainment and celebrity culture. Users post short updates, images, videos, and trending topics that spread quickly through reposts and comments. Weibo is the main platform for breaking news, pop culture gossip, movie promotions, idol fan communities, and viral social discussions. Chinese celebrities, influencers, brands, and government agencies all use Weibo to communicate with the public. During major events, such as sports matches, movie releases, or scandals, Weibo becomes the first place people go to see what’s trending in China.
3. Douyin (抖音)
Douyin is the Chinese version of TikTok, owned by ByteDance, but it operates as a separate app with its own features and content ecosystem. It focuses on short-form videos that include comedy, beauty, fashion, food, travel, education, and daily life. Douyin’s powerful algorithm quickly learns user preferences and shows highly personalized content. Live streaming and social commerce are also major features, allowing creators to sell products directly through videos and live sessions. Douyin is especially popular among young users and has become a key platform for trends, viral challenges, music discovery, and online shopping in China.
4. Kuaishou (快手)
Kuaishou is another major short-video and live-streaming platform, similar to Douyin but with a different user culture. While Douyin focuses more on polished, trendy content, Kuaishou is known for showing more everyday life, especially from smaller cities and rural areas. Users share real-life moments, family life, farming, cooking, and local culture. Kuaishou has a strong sense of community, where creators and viewers often build long-term relationships through live streaming. It is widely used by working-class users and people outside big cities, making it an important platform for understanding real-life Chinese society.
5. Xiaohongshu (小红书 / RED)
Xiaohongshu, also known as RED, is a lifestyle-focused social media platform that combines social networking with shopping and product reviews. It started as a platform for sharing overseas shopping experiences, but now covers beauty, skincare, fashion, fitness, food, travel, study abroad, and daily life. Users post detailed reviews, photos, and videos, helping others decide what to buy or where to go. Xiaohongshu is especially popular among young women and urban users. Brands use it heavily for influencer marketing, product launches, and trend creation, making it one of the most powerful platforms for lifestyle and consumer influence in China.
6. Bilibili (哔哩哔哩)
Bilibili is China’s leading youth culture and video-sharing community, often compared to YouTube but with strong roots in anime, comics, and gaming. It is famous for its “danmu” or bullet comments, where user comments fly across the screen while videos play, creating a shared viewing experience. Over time, Bilibili expanded to include education, documentaries, music, technology, vlogs, and live streaming. It attracts mainly Gen Z and young millennials who enjoy creative, community-driven content. Bilibili is also a major platform for online learning, with many users watching tutorials, lectures, and skill-building videos.
7. QQ
QQ is one of China’s oldest social platforms, created by Tencent before WeChat. While its popularity has declined among adults, it remains extremely popular among teenagers and students. QQ offers messaging, group chats, voice chat, games, music, avatars, and virtual communities. Many young users like QQ because of its playful design, customization options, and strong gaming connections. It is also widely used in schools for class groups and study communities. Even though WeChat has taken over most adult communication, QQ still plays a big role in youth social life in China.
8. Zhihu (知乎)
Zhihu is China’s largest question-and-answer and knowledge-sharing platform, similar to Quora but with stronger social features. Users ask questions about almost anything: career, education, relationships, technology, travel, history, and daily problems, and receive detailed answers from other users. Many experts, professionals, and influencers write long, high-quality posts on Zhihu. Over time, Zhihu added articles, videos, live talks, and paid content. It is popular among students, professionals, and people who enjoy thoughtful discussions and learning, making it one of China’s most intellectual social media platforms.
9. Baidu Tieba (百度贴吧)
Baidu Tieba is one of China’s earliest online community platforms and is based on interest-based forums linked to search keywords. Users join “Tieba” communities centered around topics like celebrities, TV shows, games, sports teams, hobbies, or local cities. Each Tieba works like a forum where users post threads, reply to others, share images, and discuss their favorite topics. Although its popularity has dropped compared to newer platforms, it still has many active communities and remains important for fandom culture, gaming discussions, and niche interests.
10. Momo (陌陌)
Momo started as a location-based social networking app that helps users meet people nearby. It is often compared to dating and friend-finding apps, but has evolved into a broader social and entertainment platform. Users can chat, share posts, watch live streams, join interest groups, and follow creators. Live streaming is a major feature, with hosts earning money through virtual gifts. Momo is popular among young adults in cities who want to make new friends, socialize, or find romantic connections, making it one of China’s most well-known social discovery platforms.
Conclusion
China’s social media world is huge, fast-moving, and very different from what most people know outside the country. Platforms like WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu are not just apps; they are part of everyday life, shaping how people communicate, shop, learn, and entertain themselves. Each platform has its own culture, user base, and purpose, from youth communities on Bilibili to lifestyle sharing on Xiaohongshu and knowledge exchange on Zhihu. By understanding the top 10 Chinese social media platforms, you can better understand modern China and how digital life there really works.