What is Xiaohongshu? A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners and Foreigners

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Key Takeaways

• What is Xiaohongshu? It is a popular Chinese social media and e-commerce app focusing on user-generated content for travel, lifestyle, and shopping, with over 300 million users.
• Xiaohongshu vs. other China travel apps: It offers authentic, peer-driven advice, making it ideal for beginners compared to apps like WeChat or Trip.com.
• How to download Xiaohongshu: Search for “REDnote” on app stores, and use a VPN if needed for access in restricted regions.
• Is Xiaohongshu safe for foreigners? Yes, with proper precautions like strong passwords and avoiding suspicious links, it’s generally secure for travel planning.
• Key features: Includes posting notes, searching for tips, and seamless shopping, perfect for exploring China travel insights.

Table of contents

• What is Xiaohongshu?
• How to Download Xiaohongshu
• Is Xiaohongshu Safe for Foreigners?
• Xiaohongshu App Guide for Beginners
• Xiaohongshu vs. Other China Travel Apps
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is Xiaohongshu? Xiaohongshu is a leading Chinese social media and e-commerce platform that blends user-generated content with online shopping. Launched in 2013 as a “Hong Kong Shopping Guide,” it has grown into a vibrant hub for sharing lifestyle, fashion, beauty, travel tips, and product reviews. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiaohongshu; Source: https://www.meltwater.com/en/blog/little-red-book-xiaohongshu; Source: https://www.chinafy.com/blog/the-rise-of-xiaohongshu-chinas-hottest-social-commerce-platform; For more on destinations, check top destinations in China.

This Xiaohongshu app guide for beginners will help you understand the platform’s basics while exploring Xiaohongshu vs. other China travel apps like WeChat or Trip.com. You’ll learn about its fast growth among young users, with over 300 million monthly active users mostly aged 18-40 and 70% female, making it a go-to spot for authentic Chinese culture and travel insights. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiaohongshu; Source: https://prizmdigital.co.nz/what-is-xiaohongshu; Source: https://fortune.com/asia/2025/01/14/what-is-xiaohongshu-chinese-app-rednote-topping-charts-tiktok-ban; Planning trips? See budget-friendly travel tips.

For foreigners, Xiaohongshu’s appeal lies in its real-world advice, unlike Western apps like Instagram or TikTok that focus more on fun videos and photos. We’ll cover how to download Xiaohongshu and if it’s safe for foreigners, with step-by-step tips to keep you secure. This guide will give you clear, practical knowledge to dive in and explore this social commerce tool.

What is Xiaohongshu?

What is Xiaohongshu? Xiaohongshu is a hybrid social networking and e-commerce platform, known internationally as Little Red Book or REDnote. It started in 2013 as a simple guide for overseas shopping and has evolved into a full app for sharing user-generated content on lifestyle, fashion, beauty, travel, food, and technology. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiaohongshu; Source: https://www.meltwater.com/en/blog/little-red-book-xiaohongshu; Source: https://www.chinafy.com/blog/the-rise-of-xiaohongshu-chinas-hottest-social-commerce-platform; Source: https://prizmdigital.co.nz/what-is-xiaohongshu; For tech trends, explore China’s tech scene.

As a Xiaohongshu app guide for beginners, let’s break down its key features. Users post “Notes,” which mix pictures, videos like vlogs or plogs, and text on topics like daily routines or travel plans. It includes built-in e-commerce for buying products directly from posts, creating a seamless shopping experience. The app has a huge community with over 300 million monthly active users, mostly young adults aged 18-40, and about 70% are women, making it a top resource for lifestyle advice.

Xiaohongshu stands out from other apps by focusing on honest, peer-driven tips, unlike Instagram’s photo-sharing or TikTok’s entertainment feed. It’s like a visual search engine for real recommendations on products and destinations. This sets it apart in Xiaohongshu vs. other China travel apps, where it shines in user-shared itineraries and local insights, helping you plan trips with trusted advice. Source: https://fortune.com/asia/2025/01/14/what-is-xiaohongshu-chinese-app-rednote-topping-charts-tiktok-ban; Source: https://prizmdigital.co.nz/what-is-xiaohongshu; Discover more spots via hidden gems in China.

How to Download Xiaohongshu

How to download Xiaohongshu? Start by finding this app on your device’s store as “REDnote” or “rednote” on iOS and Android, available since January 2025. It’s a simple process that opens up the world of this social commerce platform for beginners and foreigners. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiaohongshu; Source: https://fortune.com/asia/2025/01/14/what-is-xiaohongshu-chinese-app-rednote-topping-charts-tiktok-ban; For visa details, see China visa guide.

For your Xiaohongshu app guide for beginners, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Open the App Store on iOS or Google Play on Android. Search for “REDnote” or “rednote” to locate it quickly.
• Step 2: If it’s not in your region, change your app store settings to a supported area like China or Singapore. This might need a VPN for access.
• Step 3: For Android users, download the APK from trusted sources. Avoid shady sites to stay safe, as unofficial downloads can carry risks.
• Step 4: Install the app and sign up with a phone number. Use an international one if possible, based on current rules.

Foreign users might face hurdles, like app blocks in some countries, but tools like VPNs make it easier. This ties back to what Xiaohongshu is—a platform for cultural and travel exploration. Always keep the app updated for smooth use and security. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiaohongshu; Source: https://fortune.com/asia/2025/01/14/what-is-xiaohongshu-chinese-app-rednote-topping-charts-tiktok-ban.

Is Xiaohongshu Safe for Foreigners?

Is Xiaohongshu safe for foreigners? Yes, it’s generally safe and reliable for non-Chinese users, with millions using it for travel planning and shopping without issues. This social commerce app has a strong user base, making it a trusted tool for outsiders. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiaohongshu; Source: https://www.chinafy.com/blog/the-rise-of-xiaohongshu-chinas-hottest-social-commerce-platform; Source: https://prizmdigital.co.nz/what-is-xiaohongshu.

As part of the Xiaohongshu app guide for beginners, here are key safety tips:

• Use strong passwords and turn on two-factor authentication to protect your account.
• Stick to official sources for downloads and avoid clicking suspicious links in comments.
• Be cautious with personal data, as it’s stored under Chinese rules.

Potential risks include data privacy concerns, where info is handled locally, and content checks that might affect certain topics. For travel users, this is rarely a problem, but scams like phishing can happen in messages. Understanding what Xiaohongshu is—a legitimate network—helps reduce worries. Keep it updated with security fixes for peace of mind, especially with its rise in foreign users due to global trends. Source: https://prizmdigital.co.nz/what-is-xiaohongshu; Source: https://www.chinafy.com/blog/the-rise-of-xiaohongshu-chinas-hottest-social-commerce-platform; Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiaohongshu; Source: https://fortune.com/asia/2025/01/14/what-is-xiaohongshu-chinese-app-rednote-topping-charts-tiktok-ban.

Xiaohongshu App Guide for Beginners

Xiaohongshu app guide for beginners starts with simple steps to get you going. Once you’ve downloaded it, as covered earlier, create an account using your phone number and set up a profile with basic details.

This guide ties into how to download Xiaohongshu and is Xiaohongshu safe for foreigners by adding safety steps. Here’s how to navigate:

• Set Up: Sign in and customize your profile with photos and interests like travel or food.
• Home Page: Check the 首页 for trending posts and personalized suggestions based on your likes.
• Search Function: Use the 搜索 bar to find travel tips in English or Chinese, acting as a quick research tool.
• Interact: Save posts via 收藏, comment, or join communities for trip ideas and local spots.
• Shopping: Explore the 商城 section for products with user reviews and buy directly if available overseas.

This app is great for honest advice, like crowd-sourced travel plans. Source: https://www.chinafy.com/blog/the-rise-of-xiaohongshu-chinas-hottest-social-commerce-platform; Source: https://prizmdigital.co.nz/what-is-xiaohongshu.

Xiaohongshu vs. Other China Travel Apps

Xiaohongshu vs. other China travel apps shows how it compares to tools like WeChat, Trip.com, and Douyin. What Xiaohongshu is—a focus on user-generated lifestyle and travel content—sets it apart as a research powerhouse.

Here’s a direct comparison:

Pros of Xiaohongshu include real user reviews and growing English help, while cons are language barriers and no direct bookings. In Xiaohongshu vs. other China travel apps, it excels in discovery, like finding hidden spots, unlike Trip.com’s booking focus. Source: https://www.chinafy.com/blog/the-rise-of-xiaohongshu-chinas-hottest-social-commerce-platform; Source: https://prizmdigital.co.nz/what-is-xiaohongshu.

Frequently Asked Questions

• • Is Xiaohongshu free to use?

Yes, Xiaohongshu is free to download and use, though some features like premium content may require purchases.

• • Can foreigners create an account on Xiaohongshu?

Yes, foreigners can create an account using an international phone number, but they may need a VPN for access in certain regions.

• • How does Xiaohongshu help with China travel planning?

It offers user-generated itineraries and reviews, making it easier to find authentic advice for trips.

• • What makes Xiaohongshu different from other apps?

Unlike apps focused on entertainment, Xiaohongshu emphasizes e-commerce and real-life recommendations for lifestyle and travel.