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, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss)/income attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. (numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share)	$ (1,331)	$ 434	$ (1,999)	$ 464
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - Basic	22,376,540	22,200,166	22,376,540	22,193,391
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -Diluted	22,376,540	22,200,166	22,376,540	22,193,391
(Loss)/earnings per share-Basic	$ (0.06)	$ 0.02	$ (0.09)	$ 0.02
(Loss)/earnings per share-Diluted	$ (0.06)	$ 0.02	$ (0.09)	$ 0.02