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China · Leisure, Entertainment & MediaiQIYI
One of China's leading video streaming platforms, owned by Baidu, offering original series, movies, and licensed international content.
What it helps with
- Watching Chinese dramas and variety showsiQIYI streams Chinese TV series, films and variety shows, including many of its own productions.
- Watching without adsA VIP membership removes most ads and opens episodes ahead of free users.
- Chinese content with subtitles abroadOutside mainland China, the international iQIYI app (iq.com) offers dramas with subtitles in several languages.
About iQIYI
iQIYI (爱奇艺) is a major Chinese video streaming platform, often compared to Netflix in scope, offering a large library of Chinese dramas, variety shows, anime, and movies alongside original productions.
Key Features
- Original Productions: A significant library of iQIYI-exclusive dramas and variety shows.
- Chinese Drama and Variety Focus: Particularly strong for domestic Chinese entertainment content.
- Multiple Device Support: Stream on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs.
- Subscription Tiers: Free ad-supported viewing alongside paid membership for premium content and no ads.
How to Get Started
- Download the iQIYI app or visit the website and create an account.
- Choose a free account or subscribe to a paid membership tier.
- Browse the catalog by genre or search for specific titles.
- Download episodes for offline viewing where supported.
Before you use it
- Limits: The mainland service (iqiyi.com) and the international version (iq.com) have different catalogues and separate memberships.
- Payment: Mainland VIP is paid with WeChat Pay or Alipay, which can use a linked international card.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Does iQIYI work with a foreign bank card in China?
- Not reliably - a foreign card may be declined. Check the notice above, or plan to use a local payment method.
- Is iQIYI available in English?
- Not officially - the interface is mainly in the local language.
- Do I need a local phone number to use iQIYI?
- No, an international phone number generally works for iQIYI.
- Do I need local ID or residency for iQIYI?
- No, iQIYI doesn't require local ID or residency for visitors.
- Where can I use iQIYI?
- iOS · Android · Web
- How much does iQIYI cost?
- Free with ads; VIP membership for ad-free and exclusive dramas
