Wuhan
Guide for dating in Wuhan helps you to meet the best girls. This dating guide gives you tips how to date Chinese women. You will learn rules where and how to flirt with local Chinese girls. We advise how to move from casual dating to the relationship and find the real love. We also tell the best dating sites in Wuhan. In this article below you will find more information where to meet and date girls in Wuhan, China.
Girls in Wuhan:
- Looks of girls: 3.5 / 5
- Attitude of girls: 3 / 5
- Loyalty of girls: 3 / 5
- Education level of girls: 3.5 / 5
Dating in Wuhan:
- Chance of arranging dates: 2.5 / 5
- Casual dating culture: 2,5 / 5
- Online dating popularity: 2 / 5
Sex in Wuhan:
- Women's sexual activity: 3 / 5
- One-night stands: 2.5 / 5
More about Wuhan:
- Nightlife in general: 3.5 / 5
- Locals' English level: 2 / 5
- Moving around the city: 3.5 / 5
- Budget per day: US$50 - $500
- Accommodation: US$20 - $200
Contents
Dating
The People's Republic of China is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with an estimated population of 1.4 billion in 2019. Covering approximately 9.6 million square kilometers, it is the world's third-largest country by area. The state exercises jurisdiction over 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, four direct-controlled municipalities, and two special administrative regions. Chinese is the official language. Han is the main ethnic group and it is estimated that it constitutes almost 18% of the world’s population. Wuhan is the capital of Hubei Province in China. It is the largest city in Hubei and the most populous city in Central China with a population of over 11 million, the ninth most populous Chinese city and one of the nine National Central Cities of China. Wuhan is also the where the coronavirus pandemic originated from.
Dating Chinese girls is fun and exciting. Chinese girls are shy and conservative with strangers, and especially with foreigners. China is still an isolated country with a minimal exchange of foreign ideas. Chinese girls are not used to interacting with a lot of foreigners, which makes them less amicable and friendly. However, if you manage to befriend a Chinese girl and spend some time with her, you will discover a different side: naughty, funny, caring, and joyous.
Dating Culture
Dating and romantic relationships in China are regarded differently, as adolescents and young adults may have more progressive beliefs, as compared to their parents. Chinese parents tend to oppose adolescent dating, perhaps due to their more traditional perspectives. While there is no clear definition of what is an appropriate age for individuals to begin dating, those who begin dating at an early age will typically have to cope with the opposition of parents. Nonetheless, dating is becoming increasingly popular among Chinese youths.
Among the younger generations, dating is rapidly becoming elevated in popularity. Even the behavior towards the dating culture is rapidly changing over time. Behaviors such as holding hands and kissing in public, which would've been somewhat taboo only a few decades ago, in China, are now becoming increasingly commonplace
Sugar Dating
Sugar dating is one of the best ways to find a date in 2023. Men who are willing to buy gifts for sugar babies, will get physical or emotional pleasure for a return. Take a look of the wide selection of girls from SecretBenefits.
Online Dating
Dating in Wuhan can be a bit tricky due to not knowing if you have a solid connection, so your best bet is to sign up for a dating site before you venture to the night club or bar, so you can meet a few locals ahead of time. AdultFriendFinder.com lets you meet local members in Wuhan and get to know them on a personal basis before you meet in person. Take advantage of site features like live chat and member to member webcams so you can begin flirting before arranging a face-to-face meeting.
Webcam Dating
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Women
Despite the government's efforts, gender equality continues to meet resistance in the historically male-dominated Chinese society and obstacles continue to stand in the way of women achieving greater equality in China. Women continue to be disadvantaged in many areas.
The rate of illiteracy is still higher in women than men though the government continues to push for more females to enroll in higher institutions of learning.
In current-day China, women enjoy legal rights to property, but in practice, these rights are often difficult to realize. Chinese women have historically held little rights to private property, both by societal customs and by law. In the 19th century China, family households held property collectively, rather than as individual members of the household. This property customarily belonged to the family ancestral clan, with legal control belonging to the family head, or the eldest male.
If female labor force participation is used as the indicator to measure gender equality, China would be one of the most egalitarian countries in the world: female labor force participation in China increased dramatically after the founding of the People's Republic and almost reached a universal level. In 2019 a government directive was released banning employers in China from posting "men preferred" or "men only" job advertising, and banning companies from asking women seeking jobs about their childbearing and marriage plans or requiring applicants to take pregnancy tests.
When it comes to looks, Chinese women have slender bodies with delicate features. They are very cute yet elegant. They are shy, polite and have amazing personalities. A language barrier will be definitely a problem while wanting to talking to talk these beautiful angels. Not many Chinese women are well versed in English and only speak in Chinese. It will be a good idea to pick up a few phrases in the local language in order to ensure a smoother encounter.
Chinese Girls (age 18 - 29)
Many girls go to university and colleges and end up pursuing careers before they get married. Dating and being in lasting relationships is rare in China as most couples are formed from longstanding family friendships or through arranged marriages.
As they undergo a transition in their lives, they also develop in their bodies. Similar to other Asian countries, Chinese girls have relatively slender physiques. The girls’ breasts and bum grow though they remain firm and rarely do they start sagging. Despite their less conservative nature, Chinese girls are taught to always dress decently especially in public.
Most Chinese girls are married by their 30th birthday. This is usually to allow the women to continue focusing on their careers. This age group is the perfect one to target. The younger girls are more carefree, wild and liberal. They are open to dating foreigners and having a fun time.
Chinese Women (age 30 - 45)
The women aged 30-45 years are mostly working and with families. The patriarchal nature of Chinese families means that it remains the woman's responsibility to take care of the home whether she is working or not. The woman will, therefore, be working during the day at her usual job before rushing home to ensure that the children are fed and tucked in and that the house is okay. Nowadays, some families are led by women who make all the important decisions. Women of this age are old fashioned and they are not too warmed up to the idea of dating foreigners. They are at the age where they are thinking of settling down for good and getting married so they are not looking for short term relationships. They want something serious. This may not be true for everyone but it is better not to have too many expectations before approaching women from this age group.
Chinese Ladies (age 45+)
While in the past women were contend with remaining at home and taking care of their families, education and exposure have made more women step out of their homes. At this age, some women have grown their careers and occupy a higher level of management. Some even venture into politics and hold top positions in leadership.
Chinese women are pressurised to get married as soon as possible. Women from this age bracket are married and settled down with families. However you will be happy to know that sugar mommies are aplenty in China. You just need to look in the right places if that is something you want to pursue. Plenty of rich older women also want to have affairs with young, hot men in general without the sugar baby/mommy arrangement.
Foreign Girls (tourists, expats, students, etc.)
Wuhan is one of the most visited cities in China and a large number of foreign girls in the city are tourists. The last few decades have seen a rapid expansion and establishment of China as a key tourism destination attracting tens of millions of tourists every year.
Alongside the tourists, Wuhan hosts more than 20 universities, many of which attract girls from all over the world. However, the recent coronavirus pandemic have changed things a bit. You will continue to find a lot of foreign students but generally tourists will avoid the city now due to a fear lurking in their minds.
Sex
Chinese girls are more willing to engage in sex than ever before. According to recent surveys, many girls no longer treasure their virginity as they believe that many young men do not consider it necessary to marry a virgin girl. The best place to find girls willing to have sex are the clubs and those in universities.
Sex Culture
Sex is increasingly considered something personal and can now be differentiated from a traditional system that featured legalized marital sex and legal controls over childbirth. The reduction in controls on sexual behavior has initiated a more liberal atmosphere for sexual expression. More and more people now regard sexual rights as basic human rights, so that everyone has the right and freedom to pursue his or her sexual bliss.
One-Night Stands
More Chinese youth are hooking up and having one night stands is more common than it was in the past. A large part of this can be attributed to the influence of modernism and a large population of young Chinese in universities and colleges. The internet has rapidly become popular and with it has been the accessibility of dating websites hence enabling youth to connect easily and away from the glare of the conservative older generation.
Best Places to Meet Single Girls
Wuhan, the capital of Central China’s Hubei province, is a commercial center divided by the Yangtze and Han rivers. The city contains many lakes and parks, including expansive, picturesque East Lake. Nearby, the Hubei Provincial Museum displays relics from the Warring States period, including the Marquis Yi of Zeng’s coffin and bronze musical bells from his 5th-century B.C. tomb.
No matter whether you come to Wuhan to take the Yangtze River Cruise (Wuhan-Chongqing Cruise, Yichang-Chongqing Cruise, or Shanghai-Chongqing Cruise) or prefer to have in-depth exploration in this riverside city, Wuhan has many to offer like Yellow Crane Tower, Hubei Provincial Museum, Guiyuan Temple…moreover, a side trip to Mount Wudang to experience the “Taichi” is also fantastic.
Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs
- Wuhan Prison: This long-standing, grungy Wuchang dive was opened by longtime punk musician Wu Wei (of seminal band SMZB), and is a popular hangout with expatriates. It's up an alley around the corner from Vox.
- Soho Bar: This is where the Chinese business crowds gather and where visitors can experience the city's luxurious side while enjoying a fancy cocktail. An upscale bar and nightclub, it gets packed during the weekends, so be prepared to stand. Loud music, serious socializing and a mixture of Chinese and visitors make Soho bar one of Wuhan’s favorite bars.
- Chloé Bar À Vins: Located in the historic Hankou District, this elegant French wine bar and lounge merge East with West. Chloé Bar À Vins’ focus is wines from Bordeaux and other international wines, as well as a selection of popular cocktails and a small French and Spanish tapas menu. The staff speaks English, French and Chinese.
- Return 97 & Very Return Club: This popular bar and nightclub comprise of a night club on the first floor and an elegant wine bar on the second floor. A 'proper' nightclub, Return 97 is a hot spot for weekly parties and regular guest music performances, and it attracts big groups of young people who dance the night away.
- Vox Livehouse: The most popular underground music and gig hot spot in town, Vox Jiu Ba is the heart of the alternative scene in Wuhan. During the last few years, Vox has transformed Wuhan’s music scene and today it hosts rock bands from all over China who perform live almost every night.
- Toucan Irish Pub: A great find in Wuhan, Toucan Irish Bar is a cozy and friendly bar to enjoy Irish-style pub food with a pint of good old Guinness. Here you can also find familiar pub features such as a pool table, table soccer, and big screens where you can watch football games. One of the closest bars to a Western pub that you can find in Wuhan.
- Brussels Beer Garden: Offering a great selection of Belgian and German bottled and draft beers, Brussels Beer Garden is a popular spot for expatriates missing home, and for locals who like its European pub feel. This cozy and quaint bar-bistro-cafe is a laid back option to enjoy a few pints and get some good bar food in a relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for groups and for socializing.
- The Atomium: Located by the Wuhan lake, the Atomium is the best place to have real Belgian beers while enjoying a spectacular lakefront setting. A sister bar to Brussels Beer Garden, it offers the same quality selection of pub food and beers at good prices. Almost all major sports events are shown live on its numerous screens, so it’s the perfect destination for game night.
- Blue Sky Café: An all-round bar, cafe, restaurant and nightclub that is popular with visitors as it regularly hosts themed parties that attract the expatriate community. During the weekends it also becomes a popular live music venue. Blue Sky cafe has two floors, one with a laid back lounge atmosphere perfect for social groups, and the other is a nightclub with a dance floor and a DJ booth.
- Hot & Crazy Sugar Daddy York Bar: Better known as ‘York Bar’, this well-known beer joint sits in the middle of a busy street in Hankou. A quirky chill-out spot, it features an outside bar with plenty of tables, perfect for laid back summer nights. York Bar regularly hosts live music events. Its eccentric owner 'Sugar Daddy' is an interesting local character worth talking to; he loves chatting to foreigners. A gallery of African masks and other antiquities can be found within York Bar's premises.
Shopping Malls
Some of the malls in Wuhan include:
- Wuhan Shopping Plaza
- Wuhan Mall
- Wuhan International Plaza
- Wanda Plaza
- Guoti Wuhan Shopping Center
- Jiahong Shopping Center
- Wuhan Capital Square
- Kaide Mall
- Optical Valley International Plaza
- Wuhan Bailian Outlets Plaza
- CapiaLand Mall
Outdoors
- Guiyuan Temple: An afternoon at this revered 350-year-old Buddhist temple can fluctuate between serenity and chaos, depending on the tour buses. Pass a large rectangular pond where turtles cling like shipwrecked sailors to two metal lotus flowers and examine the magnificently burnished cabinet housing Milefo in the first hall.
- The highlights of Hubei's Provincial Museum are excavations from the Tomb of Marquis Yi: there are bronze wares, weaponry and musical instruments – including one of the world’s largest, a remarkable five-tonne set of 65 double-tone bronze bells. Half-hour chime bell performances (¥30) are given thrice daily (10.30 am, 2 pm and 3 pm) during the week, with an extra performance at 11.30 am on the weekend. Other exhibits here include Palaeolithic fossils and Neolithic bronzes and pottery.
- Yellow Crane Tower: Wuhan's Yellow Crane Tower is the city's most revered landmark. The building as it currently stands was erected in 1981; however, this historical pagoda has been torn down and rebuilt more times than most people care to remember. Once a military watchtower, the five-floor structure now serves purely commemorative purposes. As a source of pride among locals, it's a universally accepted truth that no trip to Wuhan is complete without climbing to the fifth floor and checking out the bird's-eye view.
- The Han Show: Inspired by the Chu-Han Dynasty, the City of Wuhan and the spirit of the Han nationality, this theatrical, acrobatic water spectacle is a unique experience. The show takes place inside a stadium which was custom-built to resemble a Chinese-lantern. The building itself often described as an architectural marvel, is enough to get the crowd excited. Launched in Wuhan in 2014, this stunning performance is the brainchild of renowned theatre director, Franco Dragone, also known for his involvement in Cirque du Soleil.
- Baotong Temple: Despite being repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt over the years, this Buddhist shrine has managed to maintain a unique and intricate beauty. A strong aroma of incense wafts through the grounds of the fully-functioning temple as monks meditate and visiting worshippers drop by and show their respects. Atop a hill behind the buildings sits Hongshan Pagoda.
As well as being the largest scenic area in Wuhan, East Lake is the biggest inner-city lake in the whole of China. Famed throughout the city for its distinct, tranquil viewing platforms and its beautiful springtime blossoms, it certainly takes more than one day to discover what East Lake has to offer. From tea-houses and restaurants to biking and boats, there are endless surprises to be discovered on these shores.
Positioned in the shadows of the majestic Yellow Crane Tower, Hubu Alley is Wuhan’s most important and visited snack street. With more than 100 vendors holding permanent positions, it’s no wonder this alley is treasured by tourists and locals alike. Since the street is famed for the abundance of food on offer, it’s hard to decide what to go for. However, hot dry noodles, tofu skin, duck necks and Chinese pork sandwiches are all local specialties.
Positioned on the picturesque banks of East Lake sits one of Wuhan's most celebrated scenic areas. Come springtime, tourists flock from far and wide to Wuhan University campus to catch a glimpse of some of China's most enviable blossom gardens. But this attraction is so much more than just a pretty face – as one of the country's top universities, visitors can expect to bear witness to majestic architecture and delve into the history of some of the institution's most notable alumni.
Universities and Colleges
Some of the universities and colleges found in the country include:
- Wuhan University
- Wuhan University of Technology
- Central China Central University
- Wuhan Institute of Technology
- Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
- Hubei Institute of Fine Arts
- South-Central University for Nationalities
- Zhong Nan Theological College
- Wuhan Vocational College of Software and Engineering
- Wuhan Conservatory of Music
Relationship
In China, many couples often meet each other through mutual friends or social gatherings. However, online dating and matchmaking are becoming more popular. Intimate relations and public displays of affection are discouraged throughout the country but are becoming more common in cities. According to a general health report, the percentage of the population engaging in premarital intercourse has increased from 40% in 1994 to 71.4% in 2012. More than half of the younger Chinese population no longer considers virginity at marriage a serious matter.
However, there is a generational divide around this value. Intimate relations engaged in for the sake of pleasure are still discouraged or forbidden by many educational institutions and parents. Virginity is still sometimes a prerequisite for a Chinese marriage, and a bride's husband and family may ask for proof of it.
Holiday Romance
Holidays come with the added benefit because they offer the chance for one to hook up with beautiful girls. Spending the holidays in Wuhan is the perfect opportunity for you to hook up with local Chinese girls or even foreign girls who are also on holiday. While many people get into holiday romance planning to hook up just for the duration of the holiday, some of these hookups blossom into long-term dates which in turn may result in marriage. The various interesting places mentioned above will give you enough distractions and spice up your holiday romance.
Tips for Successful Relationship
Over time, we assume that our partner knows us so well that we don't need to ask for what we want. What happens when we make this assumption? Expectations are set, and just as quickly, they get deflated. Those unmet expectations can leave us questioning the viability of our partnership and connection. Keep in mind that "asking for what you want" extends to everything from emotional to sexual wants.
Create a weekly ritual to check in with each other. This can be short or long, but it begins by asking each other what worked and didn't work about the previous week and what can be done to improve things this coming week. Additionally, use this opportunity to get on the same page with your schedules, plan a date night, and talk about what you would like to see happen in the coming days, weeks, and months in your relationship.
Unless you have committed to an asexual partnership, sex and touch such as kissing, holding hands, and cuddling are vital components of a romantic relationship. How much sex a couple has is, of course, up to the particular pair of individuals, so you must discuss your ideas about it to manage any desire discrepancy.
Life and work distractions can become paramount in our minds, and that leaves little time or energy for our partner. Barring any emergencies or deadlines, we should be fully present when we are with our mate. We truly hear what they are saying (instead of pretending to listen), we leave our distractions behind, and we don't pick them up again until the sun comes up and we walk out the door.
When conflicts inevitably come up, remember to approach them thoughtfully and with a lot of kindness toward your partner and yourself. If you see the stress beginning to escalate during a conversation about a conflict, one or both of you can call a break so that cooler heads can prevail.
In most disagreements, we communicate from the obvious emotions such as anger, annoyance, and the like. Leading from this place can create confusion and defensiveness, and it can ultimately distract from the real issue. Start communicating from the bottom layer which is the feelings that are driving your reactions, such as disappointment, rejection, loneliness, or disrespect.
Conversations quickly turn to arguments when we're invested in hearing our partner admit that we were right or when we are intent on changing their opinion. Choose to approach a conversation as an opportunity to understand your significant other's perspective as opposed to waiting for them to concede. From this perspective, you will have an interesting dialogue and prevent a blowout or lingering frustration.
It's well understood that apologizing is a good thing, but it only makes a real impact when you mean it. Saying things like "I'm sorry you feel that way," "I'm sorry you see it that way," or "I'm sorry if I upset you" are a waste of time and breath. Even if you don't agree that your action was wrong, you will never successfully argue a feeling.
Any issues you avoid, or truths you don’t want to acknowledge, will likely undermine your relationship. It’s better to face the truth squarely in the face right now and address it, rather than let it sabotage your relationship in the long run. Be intentional and figure out the truth about your relationship. Think through all aspects of it—your feelings and thoughts, the other person’s feelings and thoughts, as well as their external context.
Love
Many Chinese couples view dating as a pragmatic affair. It's not always about finding love so much as it is about finding a potential marriage partner who fits with one's ideals. For example, although many men get married without a house and a car, Chinese women will often say that they're looking for these things because that's the sort of person who probably has a stable career and will be able to provide for her and their future children in the long-term.
The ultimate goal of most relationships in China is marriage. Young Chinese adults are often under a lot of pressure from the elders in their family to find a good husband or wife and get married relatively early. This pressure is particularly acute for women, who can be called “left-over women” if they pass the age of 26 or 27 without finding a husband. Men can find themselves similarly left-over if they wait too long to get married. This is a big part of why dating is often taken so seriously. Chinese young people often feel like they don’t have the time to “play the field” that their Western counterparts are afforded by society.
How to Make Sure She Is the One
A healthy, stable relationship focuses on giving rather than taking. Seeing your significant other happy should make you just as happy, and she should treat you in the same way. Your joy should be her joy, too—it can be as simple as asking about your day or looking after you when you are sick. As time passes, the excitement at the beginning of the relationship will pass, but you should both be just as focused on giving each other happiness.
If you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you must find that person intellectually challenging. Looks are fleeting but personality is forever—your conversations together should be interesting, insightful and full of depth. Your partner should be able to challenge your opinions, opening up your mind to new ideas and concepts.
An ideal wife is someone who will do good things, not just because other men's wives do them too, but because they are the right things to do. She surpasses other women, not because she competes with them, but because she competes with herself and tries to improve every day a little bit more.
Before marrying a woman, you must be sure that she will always support you in any situation, especially in the presence of other people. If she is very considerate, then you won’t have to worry that she somehow will disgrace you. For example, a tactless woman may make a toxic comment to your relatives or may comment on your shortcomings in front of the guests. It doesn’t mean that she should always agree with you. She just has to know how to gently tell you about your problems.
There is a big difference between a wish and the ability to have children. If your girlfriend shows that she likes children and maybe even persuaded you to have a pet, then you know that her mother's instincts are active. For your children, this means that if you marry her, they will have a nice mother and a happy and healthy family. Look at her reaction when you start talking about children, she may feel afraid, but never disgusted.
In addition to supporting and encouraging you to pursue your own goals and dreams, she will have her own as well. A mature woman has a vision for her future and chases after it with voracity. A mature woman will be someone you can take on the world with. She will be your partner in crime, a teammate in your relationship, and life.
Being consistent is a valuable virtue because it lets your partner know that you are who you are. You haven't sent your "representative" to get to know them during the first couple of months of dating, but then suddenly transform once they've committed themselves to you. Consistency is the opposite of volatility. If someone is unpredictable and volatile, it's difficult to know how they will be acting towards you on a certain day, and that gets old no matter how aesthetically pleasing she is.
Marriage
The Marriage Law sets the minimum age of marriage at twenty-two for a male and twenty for a female.
The marriage decisions in pre-modern China traditionally were made by parents with the help of matchmakers, and the fate of the children was determined at an early age. Since the reforms in the twentieth century and the implementation of the marriage law, such practices have been outlawed. Legally the decision to marry lies in the freedom of choice of a man or woman to choose their partners. Before the Mao Era, and during the period of late imperial China, young people had almost no choice about their marriage. Parents or older generations decided everything for them, on who should be their mate and the amount of money spent on the wedding.
Marriage in China has changed, especially because of new legal policies like the New Marriage Laws. The major transformation in the twentieth century is characterized by the change from traditional structures for Chinese marriage, such as the arranged marriage, to one where the freedom to choose one’s partner is generally respected. However, both parental and cultural pressures are still placed on many individuals, especially women, to choose socially and economically advantageous marriage partners.
The following are necessary before getting married at home:
- A current passport
- Chinese residence permit
- A health certificate from a local hospital designated by the marriage registration office
- Three photos of the marrying couple, taken together
- A registration fee
- A certificate of marriageability (the marriage registration office needs a form from the foreign partner's home government stating he/she is not already married in his/her home country.)
Application requirements may vary from office to office. When visiting the appropriate marriage registration office to pick up an application form and find out which local hospital the foreign partner must receive a check-up at, also check to see if the office's requirements differ from those listed here.
Getting married in China can be time consuming and expensive. There are numerous bureaucratic hurdles to leap before a marriage certificate will be granted. The obstacles may seem daunting, but if you follow the rules and have a little patience you and your partner will be able to tie the knot in China with minimum hassle. After a Certificate of Marriageability has been obtained you must go to the city or town that your Chinese partner is registered at, and apply for a marriage certificate. If this is outside of the city of the embassy/consulate that issued your Certificate of Marriageability then this means you will have to do some traveling.
The law bans marriage between close relatives, which is defined as lineal relatives, blood relative in the direct line of descent, and collateral relatives, such as cousins or uncles, to the third degree of relationship. Furthermore, after a marriage has been registered and a certificate for marriage is obtained, the newlyweds can freely choose to become a member of each other's families if they so desire, meaning they are not obligated to choose one family and abandon the other as was the tradition for Chinese women.
Wedding
During a formal Chinese wedding proposal, the groom’s family will present different gifts to announce the engagement, which is usually food and cakes. Both families send “Double Happiness Cakes” to their relatives and friends, along with invitations. The bride’s family provides a dowry list, and the groom’s family performs a “setting bridal bed” ritual.
Both families perform the hairdressing and capping rituals for the bride and groom, similar to many other cultures. The groom then goes to the bride’s home and is blocked by the bridesmaids. Both families are formally introduced during the Tea Ceremony and together they drink Tsao Chün, a Chinese tea. After the Tsao Chün tea has been finished, the couple would receive lai see, a lucky red envelope, given by the family that is filled with money and sometimes jewelry. A feast is served at the end of the wedding ceremonies.
For the groom, it is a Chinese tradition for him to decorate the car. He then picks up his bride and together they travel to a reception. During the Chinese ceremony, the couple will exchange rings, share a drink of Tsao Chün tea while crossing arms, which is part of Chinese traditional rituals. The family members are the only guests invited to this ceremony, but once the banquet begins the rest will join.
On the wedding night, the newlywed’s room will be lit with a dragon and phoenix candle, and the new couple will drink wine from two cups tied together with a red string. The candle represents good luck on the couple’s first night as husband and wife. The bride is then offered raw dumplings symbolizing her dedication to her future family and the power of giving birth.
The typical Chinese wedding invitation is red, placed in a red envelope, and usually has gold, vertical wording read from right to left with the groom’s information presented first before the bride’s. The invitation also usually includes the following – Chinese calendar dates for the wedding banquet, order of birth and names of the bride and groom, names of the parents, dinner venue, time for the cocktail reception, and time for dinner. The double happiness symbol is usually found somewhere on the invitation. It is a Chinese tradition for the bride to wear a red dress, called a qipao and to cover her face with a red veil on the wedding day. In Chinese culture, red symbolizes happiness, prosperity and good luck. Today, modern weddings call for the bride to wear a white bridal gown, and third ball gown throughout the evening. Many modern brides also change into a fourth dress at the end of the ceremonies to send off their guests. This is a very lavish and usually expensive affair. Guests will sign their names in a book or on a scroll to present their gifts. Once the dinner begins, the bride then changes into a traditional red Chinese wedding dress. In traditional Chinese culture, both sets of parents would have separate wedding feasts. Many foods are considered symbolic in Chinese culture, like the whole fish for abundance, and sweet lotus seeds for dessert, which symbolizes a wish for fertility. There are usually six courses during the banquet, and both the bride and groom change will clothing between the third and sixth courses.
The day after the wedding, the bride usually prepares breakfast for both families. She will receive a small gift from older relatives as she is formally introduced to the groom's family and they will proceed to give the bride a formal title within their family. Three days after the wedding, the bride and groom visit the bride’s family. At this time, the bride is no longer considered a part of the family but still welcomed as a guest. The groom is expected to present a roasted pig and enjoy a meal with the rest of the family.
Family Life
The family unit is considered to be one of the most central institutions. For many, their family provides them with a sense of identity and a strong network of support. In China, the family is largely understood through Confucian thought. In Confucian thinking, the family contains the most important relationships for individuals and forms the foundations of all social organizations. For instance, the roles of husband and wife, parent and child, elder brother and younger brother are clearly defined. A husband/father is expected to exhibit dominance and kindness to his wife in return for obedience and love, and offer guidance and protection to his children in return for respect and obedience.
Confucian roles are not strictly adhered to anymore. Nevertheless, children are still expected to obey their parents and honor their elders. This is following filial piety, the Confucian tenet that stresses the importance of age. For example, in most regions of China, the entire family is expected to consult family elders on big decisions. Moreover, children are expected to care for their parents as they age. Sending elderly parents to an aged care facility is considered shameful.
Families are also perceived to have a collective identity and reputation in China. This is often referred to as face, whereby the act of a single individual will impact the perception of all its members by others. The interest of the family is expected to supersede the interests of the individual. Family members are also expected to receive preferential treatment in return for their loyalty to the family.
Within the traditional household hierarchy, the patriarch and family provider was the father or eldest son. He was upheld as the ultimate decision-maker, though some families may have deferred to consulting their elders. Traditionally, the mother's role was to fulfill domestic duties and care for the children. The extended family also commonly lived with the immediate family. Nowadays, this household model is common only in very rural areas.
As gender equality has been embraced, women are now able to work and exercise authority in family matters. In some metropolitan areas, like Shanghai, women can be more dominant than men in the household. Moreover, many women residing in large cities will work to lower the financial burden on their husbands. Nevertheless, there is still a gender gap in politics and business. Women are also often expected to care for the children and the household. Some of the cultures in China live according to a matriarchal family structure, with women being the head of the household and the primary decision-maker.
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