If you asked me how to meet Chinese women five years ago, I’d suggest a stroll to a local Chinatown or a trip to Beijing, depending on your budget. But after the Covid scare and considering the rising tensions between the US and China, I’ve changed my mind.
And so did Asian brides, who have shifted to online dating in droves. So, today, I’ll share four ways to meet Chinese women, and they aren’t what you may think.
Use online dating sites
Let’s kick things off with the most effective option if you’re looking for Chinese women for marriage. Niche sites attract singles who are serious about long-distance relationships and relocation. Besides, these platforms facilitate compatible matches, unlike mainstream dating apps and sites. I’ll introduce you to my top three picks with diverse audiences, toolsets, and pricing.
1. SakuraDate
With over 500K monthly visits, SakuraDate is the largest niche dating site on my list and the most likely to produce matches fast. Most users come from the US, the UK, Australia, and, certainly, Asian countries.
It comes down to knowing your type and using 10+ search filters to access the most compatible matches without scrolling through the dating pool. Dating profiles are detailed enough to tell you the basics and get you excited about chatting with girls. You can seamlessly switch between chat and emails, both of which include photo, video, and audio messages.
Pros
- 15 search filters
- Flexible matching
- Lots of profile photos
- 20 bonus credits at signup
Cons
- No video chat
- No mobile app
- Not exclusive to China
2. EasternHoneys
EasternHoneys is only a little smaller than SakuraDate, with around 450K monthly visits from the US, the UK, Canada, and Asian countries. Chinese girls are especially fond of this platform, as it’s a cross between a dating site and social media.
The Newsfeed hosts all the latest posts from the most active users, and their personal feeds are even more exciting, even if the profiles aren’t as detailed as you’d expect. Search tools are also pretty rudimentary, with only country and age range filters. But unlike my other picks, EasternHoneys includes virtual and real gift shops, perfect for long-distance relationships.
Pros
- Free Newsfeed and profile access
- Member verification badges
- Real and virtual gift shops
- 20 welcome bonuses
Cons
- Limited profile info
- No mobile apps for Android or iOS
- No video call functionality
3. NaomiDate
As the smallest dating site, NaomiDate only sees around 100K monthly visits, making it a perfect starting point for those who are new to online dating. Most popular among American guys and Asian girls, NaomiDate was designed with serious relationships in mind, and it shows.
Member profiles take a while to fill out, but they help you decide if you might be compatible with a girl before you swap a couple of lines. Besides, detailed profiles make sense when you see the impressive number of search filters and matching options. Even live chat is beefed up with options to upload photos, videos, and audio clips.
Pros
- Extensive profiles and galleries
- Filters for search and matching tools
- Broad media messaging options
- 20 welcome credits + first purchase discount
Cons
- Limited video functionality
- Web app only with no mobile app
- All private chats are paid
Use Chinese social media
China is the largest social media market in the world, with over a billion active users. Most platforms you’re used to, like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, are banned in China, but local social media sites pick up the slack and then some. Unfortunately, Chinese platforms aren’t that welcoming of foreign users, but you can still try to sign up and look around for potential matches.
1. WeChat
Also known as Weixin, WeChat is the largest all-in-one Chinese social platform, and it’s best known in the West. WeChat lets users chat and video call, update their statuses, shop and sell things, hail taxis, and much more.
Unsurprisingly, some use it for online dating, too. The huge audience and abundance of features make it a bit daunting for newcomers, especially since you need to scan an active user’s QR code to join.
2. Sina Weibo
Some call Sina Weibo “the Chinese Twitter,” but it’s more like Frankenstein’s monster of a social media platform, combining Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter functionality. Although it’s primarily used for microblogging, Sina Weibo also includes private messaging functionality, hashtags, and Stories.
Thanks to its wide use and constant content updates, this platform has become a major source of current news and information for Chinese users. While it’s not tailored to dating, millions of active users make it an attractive place to search for potential partners.
Try Chinese dating apps
Much like social media, Chinese dating sites and apps are pretty isolationist. Even if you manage to download an app and sign up for an account, you might not be able to use it without knowing Chinese or traveling to China. Still, they might be worth a try if you fall into one of these categories. Here are a couple of options for you to try:
1. Momo
Momo is a cross between a dating app and a social media platform. With around 100 million users, it’s by far the most widely used Chinese dating app. Adding social features and games broadened its appeal but made it more confusing for new users.
That’s especially true for non-Chinese-speaking members since the English version of the app is no longer available. You can still try it if you know rudimentary Chinese or are willing to use online translation to find your way around.
2. Tantan
Although new dating apps hit Tantan’s audience hard, it still boasts over 10 million active users. It’s a Chinese copy of Tinder, which is unavailable in China since it requires a Facebook login (blocked in China).
It’s your basic location-based matching app that uses right and left swipes to gauge mutual interest. Unlike Momo, Tantan is available in English, but it will only produce valid matches when you visit China.
Volunteer at English classes
Unlike my previous suggestions on how to meet Chinese women, volunteering to teach English can work both online and offline. Considering you likely already have a full-time job, you don’t want to sign up for another gig. Besides, most Chinese girls would never dream of dating their teacher. That would be the height of disrespect. Instead, you can:
- Sign up as a native English speaker at international speaking platforms or apps like Meetup or Langclub.
- Join a local speaking club in your neighborhood and offer to mediate the conversations.
- Volunteer at an online or offline language school from time to time.
Choose an approach depending on how much time and effort you’re willing to commit to the cause. And remember that there’s no guarantee you’ll meet young single Chinese girls. You’re just as likely to meet happily married ladies or Chinese guys. In other words, using English classes to meet Chinese women takes patience, just like any other approach I’ve mentioned before.
Five facts about Chinese women
Conclusion
If you’re committed to meeting Chinese girls on their home turf, WeChat, Momo, and Tantan are your best bets. But it will take time and dedication to set up accounts and get used to the interface, especially if your Chinese doesn’t extend beyond the basics.
And if you aren’t in a hurry to get married, language classes are a free, low-risk option. But niche dating sites remain the most efficient approach if you wish to meet Chinese girls fast, generate compatible matches, and start a serious relationship.
