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Crystal Wu

While dating apps have become a popular way for many single people to meet potential partners, some senior citizens in China are using a different approach. They converge in an area of Lotus Mountain in the southern province of Guangdong and put up posters of themselves. The place known as “matchmaking corner” is where elderly people try to arrange dates with others in hopes of finding someone to share their golden years with.


‘Only a 0.1% chance’: elderly Chinese look for love at Shenzhen’s matchmaking corner

China’s marriage rebound: will more 2025 knots bring more baby bumps in 2026?

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How old is Chinese civilisation? It really dates back 8,000 years, an archaeologist argues

China society

Photo: SCMP composite

Why young China viewers are increasingly drawn to dating shows featuring older contestants

Young viewers in China are increasingly drawn to dating reality shows which feature older contestants. Since 2018, China has embraced the genre, influenced by South Korean formats. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo

The “Forever by Your Side” reality show takes its mature participants on a romantic journey from China to Thailand. Photo: thepaper

The show sees its mature participants engage in romantic and often very frank discussions. Photo: thepaper

Some of the women who have taken part in the popular show are pictured above. Photo: thepaper

One of the women participants who has helped make the South Korean-influenced show a hit. Photo: thepaper

A younger pair of contestants takes part in another dating reality show. Photo: Weibo

A group of young people enjoy a speed-dating event. However, growing numbers of older people are getting in on the finding love act. Photo: Getty Images

New China dating trend emerges where people refer exes to new prospects, akin to job referrals

Young people in China are embracing a dating trend that involves referring former partners to others, like a job referral. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock 

Young women checking a mobile phone. The ex-partner referrals are placed online. Photo: Shutterstock

A young couple on a traditional date at the cinema. Trust in forms of dating is on the wane. Photo: Getty Images

A young couple eating together. Some people even post the culinary preferences of their ex-partners. Photo: Getty Images

A speed-dating event underway in China. The new “referral” trend could undermine the popularity of such occasions. Photo: Getty Images

Why dating in Hong Kong is so hard and how people are spending thousands on agencies

Where does Hong Kong turn to when digital romance fails? More of the city’s bachelors and bachelorettes are trading algorithms for professional human matchmakers. Illustration: Henry Wong

Yvonne Yu is the Hong Kong head of Lunch Actually. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Mei Ling Ng Liu founded Hong Kong Matchmakers in 2007. Photo: Nora Tam

Liu says that both men and women tend to prefer younger partners, which can present challenges because you have “an older man chasing a younger woman who is chasing a younger man”. Photo: Nora Tam

Culture

Although in their golden years, seniors remain hopeful they can find someone to spend the rest of their lives with


Although in their golden years, seniors remain hopeful they can find someone to spend the rest of their lives with.


China

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Video | ‘Only a 0.1% chance’: elderly Chinese look for love at Shenzhen’s matchmaking corner

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Although in their golden years, seniors remain hopeful they can find someone to spend the rest of their lives with

Video | ‘Only a 0.1% chance’: elderly Chinese look for love at Shenzhen’s matchmaking corner

Although in their golden years, seniors remain hopeful they can find someone to spend the rest of their lives with