Note 26 - Earnings per share (Details) - Basic and diluted earnings per share (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Note 26 - Earnings per share (Details) - Basic and diluted earnings per share [Line Items]
Net income attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. (numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share) (in Dollars)	$ 434	$ 895	$ 464	$ 529
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - Basic	22,200,166	22,186,540	22,193,391	22,184,562
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -Diluted	22,200,166	22,186,540	22,193,391	22,184,562
Earnings per share-Basic (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.04	$ 0.02	$ 0.02
Earnings per share-Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.04	$ 0.02	$ 0.02