Ubuntu Kylin is not just a localized Ubuntu — it is a fully realized Chinese computing platform with its own desktop environment, application ecosystem, and development philosophy. Launched in 2013 as an official Ubuntu flavor under a Canonical partnership with the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, Ubuntu Kylin has matured into one of the most polished region-specific Linux distributions available anywhere.
The UKUI Desktop Experience
The heart of Ubuntu Kylin is UKUI (Ubuntu Kylin User Interface), a desktop environment developed entirely in-house by the Kylin team. UKUI takes clear inspiration from Windows 10/11 in its layout — taskbar at the bottom, start menu button on the left, system tray on the right — which dramatically lowers the learning curve for users migrating from Windows. The interface is smooth, well-themed with a dark or light mode toggle, and features rounded corners and subtle animations that give it a premium feel. File management, settings panels, and the notification center all feel cohesive and intentionally designed rather than bolted together.
Chinese Software Ecosystem
Out of the box, Ubuntu Kylin ships with an impressive suite of Chinese-market software. WPS Office (the dominant office suite in China) comes pre-installed and provides near-perfect compatibility with Microsoft Office formats. The Youker Assistant (system manager), Kylin Software Center, Kylin Weather, and a dedicated music player are all present and localized to a high standard. Input method support for Pinyin and Wubi is configured automatically, and the system calendar includes Chinese traditional holidays and lunar date display.
Under the Hood
Ubuntu Kylin 24.04 LTS is built atop Ubuntu 24.04 Noble Numbat, meaning it inherits the Linux 6.8 kernel, pipewire audio stack, and the full Ubuntu package ecosystem via APT. Security updates follow Ubuntu's LTS schedule, with five years of standard support and extended support available. The Ubuntu repositories are fully accessible, meaning virtually any software available on standard Ubuntu can be installed without friction.
Performance and Hardware Support
On modern hardware, Ubuntu Kylin runs comfortably with 4 GB of RAM providing a smooth daily experience. The UKUI desktop is noticeably heavier than XFCE or LXQt but lighter than a full GNOME session, placing it in a similar range to Cinnamon or KDE Plasma in resource usage. Suspend, resume, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth all work reliably on tested hardware thanks to the Ubuntu kernel base. ARM builds are available, targeting the growing domestic Chinese ARM ecosystem including Huawei and Phytium platforms.
Internationalization
While Ubuntu Kylin is clearly built for Chinese users, it is fully usable in English and supports dozens of other locales through the standard Ubuntu language pack system. English documentation and community resources are limited compared to mainstream Ubuntu, but the software itself presents no barriers for non-Chinese speakers who simply want a Windows-like Ubuntu experience with a well-designed desktop.
Who Should Use It?
Ubuntu Kylin is the ideal distribution for Chinese-speaking users new to Linux, students and office workers who need a familiar Windows-like environment, and anyone interested in UKUI as a desktop environment. IT administrators in Chinese enterprises deploying Linux desktops at scale will find its policy-friendly, familiar UI a significant advantage in user adoption.