Note 26 - Earnings per share (Details) - Basic and diluted earnings per share (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 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)	$ 1,159	$ 1,220	$ 1,623	$ 1,749
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – Basic	22,371,649	22,186,540	22,253,463	22,185,226
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – Diluted	22,371,649	22,186,540	22,253,463	22,185,226
Earnings per share-Basic (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.07	$ 0.08
Earnings per share-Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.07	$ 0.08