Baike

Baike (百科) is the Chinese term for an encyclopedia and, in the digital era, commonly refers to Chinese-language online encyclopedias. The word is used both as a generic concept and as part of brand names for specific sites that host encyclopedic content.

The term combines 百 (hundred) and 科 (subjects or disciplines), implying a compendium that covers many topics. This framing has roots in traditional Chinese knowledge collections, and today it underpins the way contemporary Chinese-language encyclopedias are organized and presented.

Historically, Chinese encyclopedic reference traditions include leishu (類書), which compiled knowledge from many domains. In the internet era, online encyclopedias emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, enabling collaborative authoring, frequent updates, and cross-linking among articles. Modern Baike platforms typically balance user contributions with editorial oversight.

Contemporary Baike platforms such as Baidu Baike, Hudong Baike, and Baike.com host articles across a wide range of topics. Entries usually include hyperlinks, citations, and multimedia. Contributions are generally made by registered users and moderated to align with community guidelines; while efforts are made toward neutral, fact-based presentation, reliability can vary by topic and page. Users are often advised to consult cited sources or additional references for verification.

See also: Chinese encyclopedia, online encyclopedias.