RedNote (小红书) : China's social shopping app for sharing lifestyle notes, short videos and product reviews.

RedNote launched in 2013 to help Chinese travelers shop abroad, growing into a lifestyle network of short videos and photo notes on beauty, travel and food.

Notes act as product reviews, carrying prices and in-app buy links so viewers can purchase what they just saw. Live-selling streams layer real-time shopping onto the feed.

US sign-ups spiked in early 2025 during a TikTok ban scare. The international app is fully English with open overseas accounts, while the Chinese version stays Mandarin-first and tied to local payment services.

Is RedNote reliable for travel advice in China?

RedNote is the most trusted source for travel tips, restaurant recommendations, and local guides within China. Reviews are generally genuine, though sponsored content exists. For US travelers visiting China, RedNote offers up-to-date, crowd-sourced advice not found on Western platforms.

Is RedNote censored?

It sure does. RedNote, like all Chinese platforms, filters politically sensitive content and certain keywords per local regulations. Product reviews are generally not affected by censorship. The platform also moderates fake reviews and sponsored content for authenticity.

Is RedNote like Instagram?

RedNote combines Instagram's visual feed with Amazon-style product reviews. Users post photos, short videos, and detailed reviews of products, travel, restaurants, and beauty items. It is China's leading "grass-planting" community where users discover and purchase products.

Can I use RedNote from the US?

RedNote (Xiaohongshu) is available on US app stores and can be used with an international phone number. Most content is in Chinese, but English-language content is growing. A VPN is not required to access the app from overseas.