Before the trip, many mainland travellers research on Xiaohongshu and travel apps, and more and more ask AI assistants. On the street they rely on maps and saved posts. At the door, signage, payment logos and a readable menu decide. You cannot control every platform, but you can make sure the same correct facts appear wherever people look.
Moment 1: planning at home
Dragon Trail reported in 2024 that Xiaohongshu was used by 80% of travellers to look for tips before their trips, and that travellers were more likely to search Xiaohongshu for outbound travel information than Ctrip. In its September 2025 survey of 1,076 mainland travellers, more than 60% said they had used AI that year to help plan or arrange travel.
What this means for you: posts by visitors, travel guides and AI answers all draw on information that already exists about your business. If the only Chinese text about you is a two-year-old post with wrong hours, that is what people will repeat.
What you can do
- Publish one accurate Chinese description of your business that others can link to and quote.
- Keep opening hours, address and price range identical on every profile you control.
- Decide whether to run your own Xiaohongshu account. What is realistic for a small business.
Moment 2: deciding on the street
Once in your city, visitors check maps and their saved posts to decide where to go next. Which map depends on the traveller and the destination; many use Chinese map apps, others use Google Maps. For restaurants, review apps such as Dianping can matter in some destinations.
| They want to know | Where they check | What you control |
|---|---|---|
| Is it open now? | Map listing, saved post | Hours on every profile, holiday hours posted in advance |
| How do I get there? | Map app | Exact pin, entrance photo, nearest landmark in Chinese |
| Is it worth it? | Photos and reviews | Real photos of your dishes, products or rooms |
| Can I pay? | Posts, profile text | State accepted wallets clearly |
Coverage of Chinese map and review apps outside China varies by city. Search for your own business in them before assuming you are listed, or not.
Moment 3: choosing at the door
The last decision happens in seconds. Three things carry most of the weight:
- Payment logos. Alipay+ or WeChat Pay stickers at the entrance answer the first question before anyone asks. Setting up wallets.
- A readable menu or price list. Chinese text or photos outside the door. Menu translation.
- A Chinese name or short description that matches what they saw online, so they know they are in the right place.
Ten-minute self-check
[ ] I searched my business name on Xiaohongshu and read what comes up [ ] I searched my business in at least one Chinese map app and in Google Maps [ ] Opening hours are the same everywhere I control [ ] My map pin is on the actual entrance [ ] There is at least one accurate Chinese description of my business online [ ] Accepted payment methods are stated in that description [ ] Photos show what customers actually get [ ] The entrance shows payment logos and a readable menu or price list
Common questions
Do Chinese visitors use Google?
Some do, especially visitors from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia and mainland travellers who have set up access. Many mainland travellers rely mainly on Chinese apps. Covering both is safest.
Can I ask a travel blogger to post about us?
You can invite people, but disclose any payment or free service according to platform rules. A genuine visit with honest photos lasts longer than an advertisement.
How do AI assistants learn about my business?
They draw on information already published online. The most reliable thing you can do is keep accurate, consistent facts on the pages you control.
Sources
- Chinese Traveler Sentiment Report: September 2025Dragon Trail International · checked 2026-10-15
- How to Register for a Xiaohongshu Account from OverseasDragon Trail International · checked 2026-10-15
Still check yourself: Which apps your own customers used. Ask “How did you find us?” at the counter for a month; the answer varies a lot by city and by age group.