The new generation transforms matchmaking in China, prioritizing spontaneous connections and shared experiences instead of arranged marriages
As the Qingming festival approaches, young Shanghai single people are adopting a new fashion: walks to harvest wild vegetables as a way to meet romantic partners. What looks like a simple outdoor hobby has become a light alternative to traditional arranged meetings. The younger generation is redefining the search for love, favoring natural and fun interactions instead of rigid formats.
Participants connect through online and offline activities, such as trails, interactive games and hiking, creating bonds spontaneously. This relaxed style, which eliminates typical pressures of conventional meetings, has gained popularity quickly. A research from China Youth Dailyreleased on Friday with 1,339 respondents, showed that 73.9% of young people have experienced socialization forms based on common interests to find a partner.
On social networks, such as RedNote, groups organize events to facilitate these meetings. A user called “WangwangdebeijingShenshe” said he had formed 78 couples through these initiatives.
Zhong Pei, a 30 -year -old professional from Changsha, in Hunan province, shared with the Global Times Your preference for meeting people in unpretentious environments. It avoids the pressure from looking for a boyfriend and prefers to let love come naturally during activities such as trails and music festivals.
“In a music festival, immersed in the relaxed atmosphere, it is easier to pull conversation with someone”said Zhong, who usually considers herself shy to interact with men in everyday life.
These new dynamics reveal that young Chinese still value significant relationships, but with more flexible approaches. Marriage is no longer seen as a social obligation and became seen as a partnership that encourages personal growth and emotional connection.
On Shanghai harvest rides, single groups gather in an environment without pressures, where they can interact freely, far from lace -based judgments, status or appearance. The emphasis is on authenticity and emotional tune, allowing participants to show themselves as they really are.
This optimistic trend does not mean a rejection of marriage, but a reinvention. Young people seek relationships aligned with their values, prioritizing happiness and common goals rather than social expectations.
Dai Qingfeng, president of the Nanchang Academy of Social Sciences, agrees that relationships on relationships are in transformation. Whether at face -to -face events or digital platforms, the new standard prioritizes fun and freedom, allowing young people to socialize while having fun.
Unlike traditional methods, which treat participants as “objects” to be combined, this minimalist approach reflects the contemporary lifestyle. For there, the success of these initiatives depends on their ability to adapt to the demands of the new generation.
Despite the benefits, the model faces challenges. Pleasant activities, such as collective harvests or group travel, may not fully reveal essential compatibilities for lasting relationships. Differences in values or ways of dealing with conflicts can go unnoticed in superficial interactions.
“Common hobbies -based connections need to evolve into deep dialogues and mutual support”Zhong noted, remembering that these activities are just the first step to a true bond.
With information from Global Times*
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/04/05/solteiros-trocam-encontros-formais-por-aventuras-livres/
