appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Sophie Li

Faced with empty nest syndrome and changing social structures as China’s population ages, many of Shanghai’s senior citizens have turned an Ikea canteen into an unlikely dating site.
A group of senior singles has been gathering weekly at the Swedish furniture giant’s Xuhui outlet in the city’s southwest. While some might be lucky enough to find a companion, for most, it’s simply a chance to ease their loneliness by being part of the crowd.


How China’s ‘Excalibur of the East’ souvenir swords sparked airport security warning

How adversity has guided the path of Chinese civilisation through the ages

Once, I was proud of the Shenzhen miracle. Now I’m not so sure

China expands migrant workers’ access to public services

China society

How a Shanghai Ikea canteen became an elderly dating hotspot

Many of Shanghai’s senior citizens have turned an Ikea canteen into an unlikely dating site. 

Lifestyle

Family & Relationships

Large groups of seniors have been flocking to an Ikea branch in Shanghai since 2007
For most, it is a chance to ease their loneliness by being part of a crowd


Large groups of seniors have been flocking to an Ikea branch in Shanghai since 2007. For most, it is a chance to ease their loneliness by being part of a crowd.


Sex and relationships

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Large groups of seniors have been flocking to an Ikea branch in Shanghai since 2007 For most, it is a chance to ease their loneliness by being part of a crowd

Large groups of seniors have been flocking to an Ikea branch in Shanghai since 2007

For most, it is a chance to ease their loneliness by being part of a crowd