The Best Dating Apps in China for Foreigners

Lots of us travel abroad for lots of different reasons. Some go for adventure, some go to try new food and drink, while others even look for love. And, if you're planning to jet out to China any time soon, you might be pleased to learn that there are more than a few dating apps in China for foreigners that you can start using pretty much as soon as you land.

That said, there are always a few things you'll need to keep in mind before you start using these apps. For one thing, there are always likely to be cultural differences in how people approach relationships from country to country. And, there could well be language barriers - meaning it is always a good idea to try and learn some local phrases and terminology if you'd like to get to know people better here.

What's more, it's a really good idea to try and set up an eSIM for Mainland China if you intend to start using different apps across your adventures. Otherwise, you might be stuck needing to hunt down public WiFi, or you may even find that you run up unexpected costs. Regardless, once you've got the right eSIM downloaded and installed on your device(s), you can start checking out dating apps and more besides.

Dating culture in China explained

Depending on where you are traveling from, you may find that the dating culture in China is much different from what you've experienced back home. Therefore, it's wise to learn as much as you can about societal expectations before you apply any of your existing dating knowledge to the apps you'd like to download!

For example, when dating in China, it's customary for people to text or call each other many times a day, and for the most part, in heterosexual relationships, for men to take the lead. On top of that, prospects of marriage are taken extremely seriously here, meaning that if you start dating someone for a long period, it likely won't be long until discussions are on the table.

This is somewhat because there are societal pressures upon women in China to marry quickly. While this may seem outdated in many corners of the globe in the modern age, these are still deeply embedded societal norms in China, and are therefore important to be observed or at least be aware of if you are entering the dating game.

Beyond this, it's not unheard of for families to get involved with helping people in China to find partners. So, don't be surprised if you end up meeting someone's family not long after you've been dating a while. 

Best dating apps in China for foreigners

Thanks to the Chinese government's Great Firewall, there continue to be restrictions placed on foreign apps, services, and servers when it comes to running on national mobile data or infrastructure. Just as it's worth swapping out WhatsApp in China for WeChat, it's just as prudent to line up a few of China's best-loved dating apps, and to get accustomed to them as soon as possible.

The four apps that tend to work best on the Chinese dating scene right now are Tantan, Momo, Bumble, and Tinder (and at least two of these you're likely to have heard of already!). Let's take a quick look at each of them, what you can expect, and how to get started.

Tantan

Tantan is the go-to dating app in China if you're under 30, and if you're looking for fun rather than anything too serious. People report mixed experiences with the app, but one of its big appeals to foreigners is the fact that it translates to Chinese. Therefore, you won't need to learn the language from scratch if you want to start chatting with people.

Tantan has a solid reputation as being China's answer to the West's Tinder, and there's a nice selection of account upgrades and perks to help make your profile more visible and to add trust verification. Give this one a try first, but keep in mind that results can vary!

Momo

Momo tends to be a bit bolder in its approach, and like Tantan, results can certainly be mixed. It's a good way to connect with local people and to find others to do activities with in the area you're staying in. It's actually one of the oldest dating platforms of its kind in China, meaning it really did set the bar for all the pretenders that have come along since.

However, the main issue with Momo is that it's not exactly focused on dating - it's more centered around activities and sports. What's more, you will need to understand Chinese to get started with it, because it doesn't have Tantan's translation support.

Bumble

Bumble is an extremely popular dating app in the West that, with a little technical trickery, you can get to work in China. However, you'll need to install a VPN program to your phone so that you can cloud your IP and effectively connect to international servers.

Bumble has come a long way as a direct rival to Tinder, meaning it's probably going to be one of your best shots at accessibility and familiarity. However, that doesn't mean you won't still have some cultural concerns to juggle - the way people date in China is very different from how people date in the West!

Tinder

Tinder is easily the number one dating app in the West, and again, if you have a VPN ready to go, you can connect to its global servers and use it like you normally would. The biggest benefit is, of course, that it stays in English - there's no need to learn anything new.

Plus, Tinder is a solid choice for finding fellow expats or travelers in the area, who are probably more likely to be using Tinder than dating apps in China for foreigners out of pure ease. That said, if you'd like to get to know local people, the other apps we've discussed above are more worth your time and energy.

Safety tips for dating in China

Just as you should keep safe when dating at home, dating in China does carry its own risks, meaning it's worth keeping your wits about you and making sure you know what you're getting into. Regardless of the China travel apps you're using and the dating platforms you've downloaded, here are some important safety tips worth putting into practice right away.

• Stay connected on the go, wherever you date across China, with a reliable eSIM for Asia.
• Always be sure to arrange initial meetings in the daytime and in public.
• Be mindful when ordering drinks, especially alcohol, and keep your drinks in sight and under control at all times.
• Use dating apps' verification methods to ensure you are connecting with legitimate people.
• Make sure to arrange your own travel on public transport - don't accept rides from people you have never met before!
• Try to travel with others and then go out on dates alone - so you always have backup you can call if you feel unsafe.