Top 10 Most Popular Chinese Websites
Planning to live or work in China? Navigating China’s digital landscape can feel daunting at first, but knowing the top websites will help make your daily life much easier. Whether you’re looking for information, entertainment, or online shopping, this guide introduces you to the 10 most popular Chinese websites that will be indispensable during your time in China.
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1, Baidu (百度 bǎi dù, www.baidu.com) – The Mandarin Language Google
Website: www.baidu.com
Category: Search Engine
Ranking: #1 most visited website in China
Chinese Pronunciation:
Baidu is often referred to as the “Google of China” due to its dominance in the Chinese search engine market. Offering a suite of services including maps, news, music, and forums, Baidu is essential for any daily search activity in China. It ranks 5th in global website traffic and is widely used not only in China but also in Japan, South Korea, and the U.S.
Baidu’s search results are monetized through advertising, and it has become a vital tool for businesses looking to improve their visibility in the Chinese market. If you’re moving to China, mastering Baidu is essential, as Google is restricted within the country.
Why use Baidu?
- Best search engine for Chinese language queries.
- Offers services beyond search, including music and news.
- Key for navigating life in China.
Compare to other Chinese search engine, Baidu seized the top market in Chinese search engine. It is not only used in China, but also used in in Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Baidu make money by providing advertising on the results of the search result. Robin Li (李彦宏 Lǐ Yànhóng) is a famous computer scientist in China, studied computer science at the University at Buffalo. In 1996, he created RankDex.
2, QQ (腾讯 téng xùn, www.QQ.com ) – The Most Popular Mandarin Chinese Social Website in China
Website: www.qq.com
Category: Social Media
Ranking: #2 most visited website in China
QQ, a product of Tencent, is one of the most widely used social platforms in China. It started as a messaging service, similar to Skype or WhatsApp, but has grown to encompass news, interactive communities, and online games. QQ is popular among younger generations, making it essential if you want to connect with locals.
Alongside its messaging app, Tencent also developed WeChat (微信), which dominates Chinese social life. However, QQ remains widely used, especially in gaming communities.
Why use QQ?
- Widely used for chatting, gaming, and community interaction.
- Great for socializing with younger generations in China.
- Connects seamlessly with WeChat, Tencent’s most popular app.
Most young people in China use QQ one of the most popular Apps in China in their daily life. There are many games and tools on this website. There are millions of people play games and have fun on it. Chatting through QQ is one of the most popular social events in China. If you are coming to China, you can see most people will use it in the web cafe. Tencent also published the most popular APP in China- Wechat. Everyone use Wechat to communicate with each other, and shopping by Wechat pay.
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3, Dianping (点评 diǎn píng, www.dianping.com ) – A Way Better Yelp
Website: www.dianping.com
Category: Restaurant Reviews & Group Deals
Ranking: Leading lifestyle website in China
Chinese Pronunciation:
Dianping is often compared to Yelp but offers much more. As China’s top restaurant review platform, it helps users find the best dining spots in over 1,100 cities. Beyond reviews, Dianping offers group-buying deals (团购 tuán gòu) that provide users with discounts on dining and activities, making it a must-have app for anyone living in or visiting China.
Businesses also use Dianping’s powerful analytics tools, making it a vital part of the dining and entertainment landscape.
Why use Dianping?
- Best platform for restaurant reviews and finding local deals.
- Offers group-buying discounts, making it cost-effective for dining.
- Popular among locals for food recommendations and lifestyle activities.
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Comparison with Yelp:
While Yelp is well known for reviews in Western countries, Dianping goes beyond reviews to offer group deals and a loyalty system that’s essential for navigating the Chinese lifestyle. Mastering this app will help you live like a local.
4, Sina (新浪xīn làng, www.sina.com ) – Chinese Characters News, Twitter and More
Website: www.sina.com
Category: News & Microblogging
Ranking: Top news platform in China
Chinese Pronunciation:
Sina is one of China’s largest news portals, offering information on everything from sports and entertainment to social events and business news. Sina also owns Weibo (微博 wēi bó), China’s answer to Twitter, which is used by millions for microblogging. Sina has successfully adapted to the short-video trend, with an increasing market share in the short-form content sector.
Why use Sina?
- Offers a wide range of news content in Chinese.
- Home to Weibo, China’s most popular microblogging platform.
- Essential for keeping up with news and trending topics in China.
5, YouKu (优酷 yōu kù, www.youku.com) – Chinese YouTube
Website: www.youku.com
Category: Video Streaming
Ranking: #6 most visited website in China
Chinese Pronunciation:
YouKu is the go-to video streaming platform in China, similar to YouTube in the U.S. It offers a wide array of content, from TV shows and movies to short user-uploaded videos. Despite recent restrictions that limit access to YouKu’s content outside of China, it remains one of the most popular entertainment websites in the country.
Why use YouKu?
- Extensive library of Chinese TV shows, movies, and short videos.
- User-generated content similar to YouTube.
- Available for free streaming, with premium content options.
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6, Jingdong (京东 jīng dōng, www.jd.com) – Amazon of China
Website: www.jd.com
Category: E-commerce
Ranking: #1 online retail website in China
Chinese Pronunciation:
Jingdong, also known as JD.com, is China’s largest B2C online retailer, offering everything from electronics to home goods. Similar to Amazon, JD.com is known for its reliable logistics network, ensuring quick deliveries across the country. It’s a great platform for finding high-quality products and even offers international shipping through its English website.
Why use Jingdong?
- Best for high-quality electronics and consumer goods.
- Fast and reliable delivery across China.
- Extensive product range, including international shipping options.
7, Taobao (淘宝 táo bǎo, www.taobao.com) – Best Chinese E-commerce Site Similar to Amazon
Website: www.taobao.com
Category: E-commerce
Ranking: #1 C2C platform in China
Chinese Pronunciation:
Taobao is the go-to marketplace for Chinese consumers looking for variety, value, and convenience. Unlike Jingdong, which focuses on brand-name products, Taobao operates as a C2C platform, allowing small businesses and individuals to sell products. Whether you’re looking for clothes, electronics, or home goods, Taobao has it all, often at competitive prices.
Why use Taobao?
- Huge selection of products from independent sellers.
- C2C platform, similar to eBay, allowing individuals to open stores.
- Popular for finding unique, affordable items.
Comparison:
While Taobao and eBay share similarities as C2C platforms, Taobao has a much larger product range and is considered the go-to for affordable, everyday items in China.
8, CTrip (携程 xié chéng, www.ctrip.com) – China’s Best Travel Site
Website: www.ctrip.com
Category: Travel
Ranking: #1 travel website in China
Chinese Pronunciation:
CTrip is China’s leading travel booking website, offering flights, hotels, train tickets, and vacation packages. With a user-friendly interface and competitive prices, CTrip is the go-to for both domestic and international travel. The site offers multiple language versions, making it a reliable option for expats.
Why use CTrip?
- Comprehensive travel booking services, including flights, hotels, and tours.
- English version available with the same prices as the Chinese site.
- Reliable platform with excellent customer service.
9, iFeng/FengHuang (凤凰 fèng huáng, www.ifeng.com) – News Platform
Website: www.ifeng.com
Category: News & Media
Ranking: Top news and media platform
Chinese Pronunciation:
iFeng, or Phoenix TV, is a Hong Kong-based news outlet popular for its more critical and investigative reporting. It has a growing presence on the mainland, offering news, entertainment, and cultural content. It’s especially popular among users seeking less censored perspectives on Chinese and global issues.
Why use iFeng?
- Offers a unique perspective on news in China.
- Covers sensitive topics other Mainland platforms avoid.
- Popular among Chinese users who seek diverse news sources.
10, 58TongCheng (58同城tóngchéng, www.58.com) – Help your life in China
Website: www.58.com
Category: Classifieds
Ranking: Top classified ads website
Chinese Pronunciation：
58TongCheng is China’s largest classified advertisements platform, similar to Craigslist. It offers services like housing, job listings, second-hand goods, and automotive sales. It’s an indispensable tool for expats and locals alike, helping people find apartments, jobs, or even second-hand furniture.
Why use 58TongCheng?
- Best platform for classifieds, job hunting, and apartment rentals.
- Covers a wide range of services, including second-hand sales and jobs.
- Perfect for finding local deals and connecting with people in your city.
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