Finding Love – The Shanghai Marriage Market

Old Traditions Die Hard

Although attitudes to marriage in China have become freer in the last century, the ancient Chinese tradition of matchmaking continues to this day and many parents still follow the traditional ways to ensure their child finds a suitable partner.

Every weekend since 2004, the parents of unmarried adults flock to Renmin (People’s) Square on West Nanjing Road to advertise and seek a suitable partner for their child at The Shanghai Marriage Market. 

We stumbled upon the marriage market on one of our Sunday walks not long after we arrived in Shanghai, and were bewildered at first as to what we had found ourselves amongst.

What to expect at the Shanghai Marriage Market

Upon reaching the gates to the park you’d be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed and wanting to turn around, as we were met by an almost impenetrable wall of middle aged and elderly people locked shoulder to shoulder intently conversing with one other. And of course because we couldn’t understand what anyone was saying we had no idea what was going on.

Our interests were piqued, and we slowly pushed our way through the mass of bodies clustered just inside the gates, catching the attention of a few locals as we passed, but not enough to draw them away from their active and oftentimes loud and exaggerated conversations.

As we made our way out the other side of the throng, we came across umbrella after umbrella lining each side of the pathways into the main section of the park.

Pinned on each umbrella was an A4 piece of paper printed with Chinese characters. After a  quick check on our trusty translation app, we discovered the pages listed a person’s details; sex, age, height, job title, income, education, property portfolio, country of birth/residence, zodiac signs, personalities and family values.  Behind each umbrella sat an elderly parent waiting for another hopeful parent to approach them and discuss matching their children.

It dawned on us that this was grassroots Match.com – China style! And we were intrigued.

What is the purpose of the marriage market?

As with any other market, the marriage market has an air of vibrancy about it, but as we walked along the rows of umbrellas and looked at each of the notices we were struck by how faded and worn a lot of the notes and umbrella’s were. It was evident that many of these hopeful parents had been coming to the market for a long time. Some with, and some without, the consent of their children!

Since first experiencing the market we’ve been back a few times with visiting friends and family on our sightseeing tours of the city. Each time we’ve noticed a few foreigners walking through to take in the sight, but for the most part the majority of people there are actively participating in the market.

I’ve learned that many elderly people not only use the market to find their children a partner, but see the market as a place to interact socially with one another. Probably the majority of the people we had to push through at the gates.

At first the concept of these markets irked me, but I’ve come to understand and accept that they are a watered down version of the centuries old Chinese custom of matchmaking between children to ensure a suitable family lineage is continued.

Either way, I definitely recommend a visit to the Shanghai Marriage Market and Peoples Square, even if only to experience this very Chinese custom of social gatherings in parks.

When to go to the Shanghai Marriage Market and how to get there

The market is held each weekend from 12pm-5pm at People’s Square. Catch Metro Line 1, 2 or 8 to People’s Square station, exit on to Nanjing Xi (West) Road (Exit 5) and walk a short distance up the street away from the walking street (Nanjing Dong Lu). You’ll know you’re in the right place when you encounter a huge crowd of people just inside the gates to the park.

How long does it take to visit the marriage market?

If you’re planning to walk through, take some photos and soak up the atmosphere, you should only need to set aside 30 minutes to visit the market.

Other sights & activities nearby?

The following sights and activities are all within walking distance of the Shanghai Marriage Market;

• People’s Park – after spending time walking through the marriage market you can stroll into the park and enjoy the gardens and ponds and do some people watching.
• Amusement Park – in the centre of the park there is a small amusement park with rides and activities for kids. (Suitable for ages 3 and up)
• Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre – I was pleasantly surprised at this extensive and interactive exhibition spanning six storeys. The centre is next to the park on Xizang Middle Road. Be sure to make your way to the top floor to view an impressive scale model of the city of Shanghai.
• The Relieve Stress Museum & Starry Magic Planet – a great place to visit if you wish to release some steam, have some fun and get some great shots for Insta. (Suitable for ages 8 and up)
• Nanjing Dong (East) Road or Nanjing Walking Street as it’s commonly known – get amongst the hustle and bustle of the walking street, visit The Lego Store (fun for all ages) and the M&M Store and many more designer stores.
• The Bund – walk all the way down Nanjing Dong Lu and make your way to The Bund to see this iconic city skyline.