Chinese dating apps are the perfect tool for finding love.
Whether you’re looking for something short or long term, you’re bound to have fun using Chinese dating apps.
And, because China is home to over a billion people, there’s no shortage of friendly people to chat with.
Don’t worry if you can’t speak Mandarin – many of the apps that follow have an English version or an in-built translator to help you overcome the language barrier.
So, without further ado, here are the 8 biggest and best Chinese dating apps.
1. Tantan
- Available in English: Yes
- Loved by: Young Chinese people
- Chinese name: 探探 (Tàntàn)
Often billed as ‘Chinese Tinder’, Tantan is designed for millennials.
Like Tinder, you simply swipe left or right on a profile, depending on whether you like what you see. Ironically though, many Chinese people use it for relationships rather than hook-ups.
To stop fake profiles and bolster security, Tantan identifies real photos and verifies users with a powerful moderation system.
With more than 10 million daily active users, Tantan is one of the hottest Chinese dating apps to get a hold of. And it has an English version!
2. Momo
- Available in English: No
- Loved by: Young Chinese people
- Chinese name: 陌陌 (Mòmò)
If you’re serious about dating in China, Momo is your app.
It includes lots of features that make Chinese dating easier. For example, Momo will show you advertisements for date locations and special offers so you can get a discounted coffee during your date.
I like the way Chinese apps integrate this kind of helpful stuff.
Hook up with hotties on Chinese dating app, Momo. Image by Sasin Tipchai on Pixabay.
Momo recently spent a lot of money to clean up its image as a one-night stand app and to regain the confidence of the Chinese government.
It remains the largest dating-specific app in China with over 100 million active users.
3. WeChat
- Available in English: Yes
- Loved by: Chinese of all ages
- Chinese name: 微信 (Wēixìn)
No, this isn’t a mistake.
WeChat is China’s version of Facebook but turbocharged. You can chat with your friends on it, book train tickets, buy food… it’s practically the only app you need in China.
But let me fill you in on a little secret. WeChat can also be used to find love.
Surprisingly, WeChat can be used for dating. Image by Jirapong Manustrong on Shutterstock.
In almost every city, there’s a group you can search for called Couchsurf (followed by the name of your city). Just request to be added.
These groups are for locals to ask questions and to advertise events happening in the area every day. But you can also find speed dating events.
You can also find people in close proximity by using the ‘search nearby’ function.
Shhhh, don’t tell anyone!
4. Yidui
- Available in English: No
- Loved by: Local Chinese including those in small cities and rural areas
- Chinese name: 伊对 (Yīduì)
This is a fast-growing video online dating app in China.
What’s special about this app is there are more than 30,000 matchmakers of all ages who arrange more than 7 million dates per month.
The matchmakers have passed tests and interviews and can provide real-time dating services.
Yidui targets the younger generation in small towns, who have a limited circle of acquaintances, less pressure from work and more time for themselves.
The app makes money from virtual gifts that people give each other. Matchmakers can get a commission from the gifts.
Yidui is big on security and is doing what it can to avoid being known as a casual sex app, like some of the other apps on this list.
Yidui requires real-name registration and face scans to set up an account. It’s also got a special team that keeps an eye on chat rooms around the clock.
5. QQ
- Available in English: Yes
- Loved by: Chinese of all ages
- Chinese name: QQ
Like WeChat, QQ isn’t officially a dating app. But that doesn’t stop people using it to find friends online, which can lead to something more.
Just use the location-based discovery functions to discover QQ users in your surroundings. You can also find and add friends from your phone contacts or link third party accounts like Facebook.
Can’t speak Chinese? QQ comes with a built-in translator for all your chats. This should iron out the language barrier (or you may have a giggle at the translations!).
Chinese people use QQ to find friends and more. Image by Luis Molinero on Shutterstock.
Incredibly, QQ is one of the most popular social apps in history with over one billion registered users in more than 80 countries.
Over 100 million users are online at any one time.
6. Blued
- Available in English: Yes
- Loved by: Gay guys in China and nearby countries
- Chinese name: Blued (pronounced “blue-duh”)
Blued is China’s largest gay dating app with over 54 million registered users. It’s also the largest online LGBTQ+ community in India, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
Meet gay Chinese guys on Blued. Image by Griffin Wooldridge on Pexels.
With this app, you can interact with guys in live broadcasts, share your real-time location, and send disappearing images (kind of like Snapchat).
Or, just go ‘old fashioned’ and use the app to make voice calls.
7. Soul
- Available in English: No
- Loved by: Young Chinese
- Chinese name: Soul
On Soul, no real identities of users are displayed. Instead, ‘Soulers’ design their own identities in the form of avatars to portray their personalities.
With powerful artificial intelligence and data analytics, Soulers are taken to different ‘planets’ based on their passions to connect with other like-minded Soulers.
Soul is geared towards younger Chinese. Image by Shalom Rufeisen on Shutterstock.
Users can also bond with each by playing games like Soul Pets and Animated Party Rooms.
All sounds a bit strange? Then you might be too old for Soul!
8. Zhen Ai
- Available in English: No
- Loved by: Mature Chinese
- Chinese name: 珍爱 (Zhēn’ài)
Zhen Ai – meaning ‘cherish’ – offers matchmaking services both online and offline. This makes it ideal for older Chinese who are serious about meeting face-to-face.
Unlike Yidui, Zhen Ai charges a lot for its professional services. But the legitimacy of the platform is what makes it so popular.
Zhen Ai has physical locations in all major Chinese cities. However, it has introduced new features online, like livestreaming, to entice younger users.
This makes the platform a great mix of both modern and old-fashioned dating, Chinese style.
Other popular Chinese dating apps
Here’s a handful of some other must-have dating apps in China.
- Jimu – aimed at young people who are into art, fashion and music
- the L – for China’s lesbian community boasting 12 million users
- Hezi – another app for China’s youth, started by two senior executives from Momo
- Qingliao, Maohu and Pengyou – WeChat owner Tencent has launched three new apps to attract lonely souls
- Qing Chi Fan – the app for traditionalists who like to invite people out for dinner.
That should be enough to whet your appetite!
Chinese dating apps specifically for foreign men
The apps I’ve highlighted above are all big in China. But what about overseas-based apps for foreign men who are looking for Chinese women?
The most popular one is ChinaLove Cupid.
You can find love in China using apps. Image by Weidong on Shutterstock.
To get unlimited chats, you’ll need to pay. But the good thing about this site is the Chinese women on it are specifically looking for foreign guys.
Theres also 2RedBeans, but this site is more for overseas Chinese looking for the same.
I suggest reading this article I wrote especially for foreigners looking to date Chinese people.
Learn about Chinese women
If you want to find out more about Chinese women and what makes them tick, take a read of these articles:
- An A-Z of Chinese girls – insight into what the local ladies are like
- The lowdown on Chinese girls – go deeper into the psyche of Chinese girls
- Qualities you need to date a Chinese woman – the title says it all!
Traveling to China soon?
If you’re traveling to China soon, don’t forget the internet is censored there.
So, when using Wi-Fi you won’t have access to your favorite sites like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Gmail, Google, and heaps more, unless you get a VPN before you go.
Please refer to my review for the best China VPN (or skip the review and go here).
Just make sure you download the VPN before you arrive as the signup page will be blocked in China.
Chinese apps are here to stay
Apps are now one of the most popular ways to connect with other people.
Whether you’re looking to flirt a little bit or find a long-term partner, Chinese dating apps can help you do that and more.
And, as technology keeps improving, matches should get even better and improve your chances of finding a soulmate.
I wish you all the best on your journey of love!
Have I missed a great Chinese dating app? If so, give me a shout at the bottom. You may also like this article about dating in China.
