This study examined the relationship between SNS use and cultural adaptation stress at the level of interpersonal communication for Chinese students in Korea. In particular, considering the social and comparative properties of SNS, it was investigated whether social comparison propensity has a mediating effect on the relationship between SNS use and cultural adaptation stress. To this end, the responses of 194 Chinese students obtained through an online survey were analyzed. As a result of the study, first, the relationship between SNS use and cultural adaptation stress was not statistically significant. Second, in the relationship between interpersonal communication and cultural adaptation stress of Chinese students, interpersonal communication with Koreans was found to reduce cultural adaptation stress, whereas interpersonal communication with Chinese was not statistically significant, and communication with third countries had little impact. Third, the more SNS was used, the higher the social comparison tendency was. Fourth, the group with a high social comparison tendency was found to receive more stress in the process of adapting to Korean culture. Fifth, it was found that social comparison tendency had a mediating effect on the relationship between SNS use and Korean cultural adaptation stress. The results of this study can be used to understand foreign students' adaptation to Korean culture and to develop adaptation programs.