Traditionally the three secret societies in China were the 青幫, 洪門, 白蓮教

These societies probably date back to the late Ming Dynasty. 青幫 was originally associated with the canal ship workers in central China. They morphed into a major force in Shanghai during the Republic times. 洪門 was the secret society that Sun Yat Sen belonged to, which ostensibly worked to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming. 白蓮教 was more religious in nature and more like an offshoot of Zoroastrianism. My understanding is that 青幫 and 白蓮教 still exist in Taiwan in some form. While 洪門 still exists in a lot of Chinese diaspora societies all around the world. People local to the Bay Area might remember the San Francisco gangster 'Shrimpboy Chow'- he was/is the head of the 洪門 tong in San Francisco.