With the rise of short video, some of China’s earliest social media platforms have reached the end of their journey, with a few even transforming into a hub for misogynistic content
Sky has been in a state of mourning for the past few months—not for a lost loved one, but rather for the passing of a steadfast companion of hers for the past two decades: Tianya, once China’s earliest and largest online forum.
The Rise and Fall of China’s OG Social Media Platforms is a story from our issue, “Online Odyssey.” To read the entire issue, become a subscriber and receive the full magazine. Alternatively, you can purchase the digital version from the App Store.
Hayley Zhao is an English editor and writer at The World of Chinese. Born and raised in Beijing, Hayley is a multimedia journalist with experience in podcast production. You can find her binging TV shows and stand-up comedy at home when she’s not working.
