What makes you decide to choose a Linux distribution? The functionality, stability, simplicity, or maybe, the beauty? It does really depend on your personal preference. But if you are looking for a gorgeous Linux distribution, Ubuntu Kylin is a Linux desktop you must try.
History
Ubuntu Kylin has had a long history. It was started as an independent OS since 2001, developed by National University of Defense Technology Kylin. Cited from Wikipedia:
"The first versions were based on FreeBSD and were intended for use by the Chinese military and other government organizations. With version 3.0 Kylin became Linux-based, and there is a version called NeoKylin which was announced in 2010."
The first Ubuntu Kylin was released in 2013 and then becomes official Ubuntu flavor since 13.04 until now.
Installation
Ubuntu Kylin 22.04 comes with a relatively huge iso file size, compared to other Ubuntu flavors: it is 4,6 GB. Surprisingly, it didn't take too long to install. It only needs about 10 minutes to install on my Virtualbox machine. It uses Ubuntu's Ubiquity installer which is robust and doesn't have any issue.
However, you should pay more attention in the keyboard layout step. The default Ubuntu Kylin installer set the Chinese keyboard as the default choice. You have to set to English US manually.
It boots quite fast. Only 4 seconds, Ubuntu Kylin successfully booted on my Virtualbox machine. I'm sure, it would boot less than 3 seconds in a real machine. Ubuntu Kylin has a beautiful plymouth booting screen with a pinkish, purplish and redish Ubuntu Kylin logo.
It is simply beautiful, sleek like other current existing Linux login screens.
The Desktop
Ubuntu Kylin comes with its own custom desktop called UKUI. It based on MATE with some mixture from Qt components. It is, honestly, looks very similar to the beloved Windows 7 with some modern and beautiful touch.
There is a simple menu at the left bottom corner, a bottom taskbar, and a systray at the right bottom corner. You won't have any difficulty at all to use this kind of interface.
Memory Usage
Based on MATE Desktop, UKUI uses a modest amount of memory about 826 MB. It should run well on middle hardware with 4 GB of RAM or even less.
File Manager
Ubuntu Kylin comes with its own file manager, called Peony. It is based on MATE's Caja file manager. The interface and theme looks good and by far, just like the whole desktop, similar to the Windows 7 file explorer.
Control Panel
UKUI 3 control panel is both very simple and looks good. There are grouped settings at the control panel: System, Devices, Personalized, Network, Account, Datetime, Update and Messages.
Software Center
There is a custom, beautiful software center called Kylin Software Center. Despite presented in Chinese, it still has icons that quite easy to understand. However, of course, you can use APT's command line to install any additional packages.
Logout Screen
There is a nice logout screen, resembles to the KDE Plasma's logout screen. There are Switch User, Hibernate, Suspend, Lock Screen, Logout, Reboot and Shutdown.
For Whom Ubuntu Kylin Exists
Firstly, Ubuntu Kylin is an official Ubuntu flavor, designed specially for Chinese users. But furthermore, it is really a gorgeous Linux distro available for any Linux user and enthusiast who seeks a nice looking, simple and robust Linux desktop. Overall, I give Ubuntu Kylin a 8/10 score.
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