China's social media apps compared with LINE, TikTok, X and Instagram

How China's social media differs from what Thais use

Thai travellers are used to LINE, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X, but these are usually not reachable on mainland Chinese networks. People in China use their own apps that do similar jobs, and some combine chat, payments and food ordering in one. For a short trip you do not need every app; pick the few that make the journey easier.

This guide is an overview to help you choose. Other essentials such as maps and ride-hailing are covered in the China apps and connection options guide.

App comparison table

The apps in a little more detail

• WeChat is the one most worth having; see our WeChat setup guide for the steps.
• Douyin is the Chinese sibling of TikTok; how TikTok itself behaves while travelling is in the TikTok in China and Hong Kong guide.
• Xiaohongshu suits searching for places and photo angles; the search method is in the Xiaohongshu guide.
• Bilibili suits longer videos before you go, and Weibo suits following breaking news.

Which apps to install for a short trip

Install and set up the apps you need before you fly, while you have Wi-Fi and the Thai SIM for SMS, since receiving codes and finishing setup can be harder once you arrive.

If you are unsure, start with WeChat alone, get comfortable with it during the trip, and add Xiaohongshu only when you want more ideas for places to eat and visit. This keeps the phone tidy and cuts the number of apps whose permissions and passwords you must manage, which suits a first visit.

Why your usual apps do not help you talk to people there

Shops, hotels and guides in China rarely use LINE, WhatsApp or Messenger to reach customers. If you need to send a hotel address to a driver or ask a host for help, the other side will usually ask for WeChat instead. Having WeChat on your phone is therefore the simplest way to communicate with locals. Whether family in Thailand can still reach you on LINE depends on the network you use; the guide to foreign apps in China covers that.

Privacy and content to be aware of

• Read the permissions each app asks for, such as location, camera and contacts, and turn off what is not needed.
• Content in Chinese apps follows Chinese rules, so avoid posting sensitive subjects and respect local law.
• Use a different password for each app and turn on two-step verification where offered.

How the apps fit real situations

• Before a new city: search the city on Xiaohongshu and watch intro videos on Bilibili to choose an area to stay.
• Choosing dinner: compare Dianping ratings with Xiaohongshu posts to see if they agree.
• Talking to a guide or host: swap WeChat IDs or scan their QR code.
• When something sudden happens, such as a road or sight closing: check notices on Weibo and confirm with official sources.

The principle in every case is the same: treat an app as a source of ideas, then check key facts such as opening hours, booking and routes with the official site or app.

Data use and connection

Short-video apps such as Douyin and Kuaishou use a lot of data because videos play continuously, while chat apps such as WeChat use far less. On a limited data plan, load videos on Wi-Fi and turn off autoplay. A travel eSIM from a non-Chinese provider usually routes data through a gateway outside the mainland, like roaming, which is why foreign apps usually open on it; nobody can guarantee every app on every network, so test before relying on it.

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