Where to find the best "real" Chinese news sites for advanced Mandarin learners
10 of our favourite Chinese language news sites
One of the biggest challenges for intermediate to advanced Mandarin learners is finding high-quality, “real” Chinese news that’s both engaging and manageable.
Many learners end up feeling overwhelmed or frustrated by what’s available.
And often, the wrong resources are recommended:
Graded readers: These are outdated and don’t offer real, current news.
Chinese state media: They’re difficult to read, and the language doesn’t reflect how people really speak—plus, they’re often propaganda.
Chinese versions of international media: These are just translations, not original Chinese reporting, and don’t give you the authentic feel of local news.
Feel familiar?
If so, the next time someone suggests BBC Chinese, China Daily, or Xinhua as the best resources for improving your Chinese, it’s time to look elsewhere!
But where should you look?
Luckily, there are plenty of great Chinese-language news outlets out there, if you know where to go.
Every week, we scan through hundreds of news sites to curate the best content for the RealTime Mandarin newsletter. We’ve built an extensive database of quality media, covering China from both sides of the Great Firewall.
In this article, we share 10 of our favourite outlets.
For each one, you’ll find a “more” tag linking to a newsletter post where we’ve used content from that outlet.
Let’s dive in!
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Mainland China Sites
1. Huxiu (虎嗅 hǔ xiù)
Huxiu (虎嗅) is a non-state Chinese "new media" outlet covering a broad range of topics, including society, business, and international affairs. It offers insightful business reporting and deep dives into social trends as they evolve in China. The articles are informative, well-written, and easy to navigate, making it an excellent resource for anyone looking to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in China.
2. LifeWeek (三联生活周刊 sānlián shēnghuó zhōukān)
LifeWeek (三联生活周刊) covers a wide range of topics, including society, business, and lifestyle. Founded in 2005, it has become a go-to source for Chinese readers interested in in-depth analysis of social current trends. Its WeChat public account is particularly active, publishing multiple articles daily. A featured section at the top highlights the most-read pieces, making it easy for readers to quickly spot trending topics. LifeWeek is well-regarded for its ability to provide thoughtful commentary on social issues and emerging trends, which is why it’s one of our favourite channels for understanding shifts in Chinese society.
3. 36kr (36氪 sānshíliù kè)
36Kr (36氪) is a leading Chinese media outlet focused on tech, business, consumer trends, and youth culture, along with international business stories that are relevant to China’s markets. Known for its high-quality content, 36Kr aggregates articles from top WeChat public accounts and presents them in a sleek, well-organized layout. It’s also an excellent resource for discovering new WeChat accounts to follow, offering a convenient way to explore the latest in Chinese media. With one of the best user experiences among Chinese media platforms, its app provides useful alerts and a smooth interface. For anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve on business news in China, 36Kr is my go-to source.
4. Netease (网易 wǎngyì)
Netease (网易) is one of China’s major non-state-owned media outlets, and, in our view, the best of the three mainstream sites (along with Sina and Sohu). Also known as 163, Netease is slightly easier to navigate than the others, and it often covers stories that the other sites either censor or self-censor. However, like most mainstream Chinese media, it feels outdated and has a poor search function. For this reason, the best way to find content on Netease is to use Google with a search term followed by “163.” Despite these quirks, Netease remains a solid option for those looking for more diverse perspectives within China’s mainstream media.
5. The Paper (澎湃社 péng pài shè)
One of China’s 'new media' platforms. It's non-state-owned, and covers the full range of domestic news: business, politics, and society. Better writing than most other similar sites, with a much clearer and minimalist layout—with no flashing advertisements taking over the page. The text size is bigger and easier to read than many Chinese news sites. Often covers more sensitive and interesting topics other similar sites don't. Some censored topics seem to stay up longer than on other sites too.
6. Yicai (第一财经 dì yī cái jīng)
Yicai (第一财经) is one of Mainland China’s leading financial media outlets, headquartered in Shanghai and backed by Shanghai Media Group. It focuses on business, finance, economics, and public policy, with reporting that often features expert interviews, data-driven analysis, and industry deep dives. While it operates within the boundaries of Chinese media censorship, Yicai is considered relatively professional and credible, particularly in its coverage of macroeconomic trends, market movements, and corporate news. It’s a go-to source for understanding how economic developments are being presented within China.
Non-Mainland news sites
7. The Initium (端传媒 duān chuánméi)
The Initium (端传媒) is a Singapore-based digital media outlet known for its high-quality Chinese-language journalism covering Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. It allows readers to switch between traditional and simplified characters, catering to a wide audience. With no censorship restrictions, The Initium is an excellent platform for exploring topics censored in Mainland China, offering a more open view on issues which are being discussed in real life.
More: we referred to The Initium in “100,000 protesters take to the streets in Taipei”
8. China Digital Times (中国数字时代 zhōngguó shùzì shídài)
The China Digital Times (中国数字时代) is based in the US and specializes in archiving articles which were published in China, but were then removed or censored. It aggregates content from mainstream media, independent blogs, WeChat public accounts, and social media conversations. In addition to its archive, CDT also publishes high-quality Chinese-language editorial and opinion pieces. For news stories that are censored in China, it’s my go-to source. It also has a free newsletter, and an English version of the website, although with not as much as is in the Chinese site.
9. Lianhe Zaobao (联合早报 liánhé zǎobào)
Lianhe Zaobao is Singapore’s largest Chinese-language newspaper and a major regional media voice. Published by SPH Media, it covers a broad range of topics including local Singapore news, international affairs, and in-depth reporting on Mainland China. Its China coverage is often well-informed and balanced, making it a useful window into how Chinese developments are viewed from a Southeast Asian perspective. While it operates within Singapore’s media environment, it still manages to offer nuanced insights into sensitive or complex topics.
10. DW 中文 (德国之声 déguó zhīshēng)
DW 中文 is the Chinese-language service of Germany’s international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle. While I generally don’t recommend Chinese versions of foreign media for language learners, DW 中文 is an exception—and probably the best one. Unlike many outlets that just translate English content, DW 中文 produces original, high-quality reporting in Chinese. Its articles are written by China experts both inside and outside the country, offering informed, diverse perspectives. Free from censorship, it covers sensitive topics—like human rights, governance, and dissent—often absent in Mainland media. It’s a valuable resource for anyone seeking an uncensored, well-researched view of China.
How to use use these sites
Now you’ve got an idea of where to look, what next?
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Pick one site for now.
Pick one and get used to its format, style, and layout. This is important because it helps you avoid decision fatigue and overwhelm.
If you’re into business, 36Kr is a no-brainer; if you like to read about social trends, LifeWeek is great; and if you like to read into more sensitive (and interesting!) stories, CDT should be your go to.
Step 2: Use RealTime Mandarin as a guide.
Every Saturday you’ll receive a free newsletter spotlighting one news story.
Read about the context in English first, and then go to your preferred site and search for the key terms in Chinese (sometimes it’s easier to search via Google using the media name).
Step 3: Make a habit of reading.
Push yourself every week to dip into your preferred news site. Try your best to read into the topic we recommend in the RealTime Mandarin newsletter. Take advantage of the algorithm on your preferred site—go deeper on things based on what you like. You’ll find it gets easier as you get used to navigating the site.
Step 4: Commit, take action!
It’s all very well following the last three steps in theory. But, you also need to do it practice.
Start small: commit to once a week for ten minutes.
Put it in your diary.
Start this week.
Use the RealTime Mandarin newsletter as the nudge each week.
Happy reading!
Ps—When you’re ready, here are two ways I can help you get fluent in Mandarin:
RTM Plus: A self-paced program offering weekly news-based content through newsletters and podcasts, along with app integrations and tailored resources. Members also receive personalised onboarding, one-month check-ins, and ongoing support. Find out what’s inside RTM Plus here.
RTM Pro: A structured immersion experience with weekly group calls in Mandarin, a consistent study framework, and access to a private community. Pro members receive all the content, resources, and onboarding from RTM Plus, along with a more intensive, guided approach bringing it to life in conversations. Find out what’s inside RTM Pro here.
When a Westerner suggests Chinese sites are biased, this is a kind of denial that Western sites are NOT biased. We know better, don't we?