The matchmaker of Beijing: In age of mobile apps, Grandfather plays cupid for generations

Zhu smiling at his house with walls covered with images of single women who have come to him over the years in Beijing. Aged 75, he remains in as much demand as a matchmaker as ever. — Photos: AFP

BEIJING: Zhu Fang's living room walls are plastered with hundreds of headshots of hopeful singles, some of them faded and featuring bouffant hairstyles and outdated outfits.

For almost 50 years he has been one of Beijing's most popular matchmakers, and even now – aged 75 – he remains in as much demand as ever.

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Zhu smiling at his house with walls covered with images of single women who have come to him over the years in Beijing. Aged 75, he remains in as much demand as a matchmaker as ever. — Photos: AFP

Cabinet doors in the house of matchmaker Zhu Fang covered with images of single women who have come to him for help over the years in Beijing. — AFP

Zhu smiling at his house with walls covered with images of single women who have come to him over the years in Beijing. — AFP

Singles (left) and parents and grandparents (right) chatting during a matchmaking event organised by matchmaker Zhu Fang in Beijing. — AFP

Zhu walking along a compound in Beijing. — AFP

Zhu (L) talking to the parents of a single woman during a matchmaking event at a restaurant in Beijing. — AFP

Zhu (bottom C) talking to parents and grandparents of single people at his house in Beijing. — AFP

Zhu overseeing a matchmaking event for young singles at a restaurant in Beijing. — AFP

Zhu in his house with walls covered with the images of single women who have come to him over the years in Beijing. — AFP

Zhu (R) talking to women taking part in a matchmaking event at a restaurant in Beijing. — AFP

Parents and grandparents chatting at a table during a matchmaking event organised by Zhu in Beijing. — AFP

Zhu in his house with walls covered with the images of single women who have come to him over the years in Beijing. — AFP

Zhu (2nd L) looking at notebooks with details of single people, at his house in Beijing. — AFP

The walls of the house of matchmaker Zhu Fang are covered with the images of single women who have come to him over the years in Beijing. — AFP

Zhu (R) talking to a woman with her father (L) during a matchmaking event at a restaurant in Beijing. — AFP

Zhu (R) listening as a man (2nd R) introduces himself during a matchmaking event at a restaurant in Beijing. — AFP

Zhu (C) talking to a woman seeking his advice (R) in his house in Beijing. — AFP

Matchmaker Zhu Fang (R) during an event at a restaurant in Beijing. — AFP

Matchmaker Zhu Fang gesturing during a matchmaking event at a restaurant in Beijing. — AFP

Matchmaker Zhu Fang (2nd R) talking to a man taking part in a matchmaking event at a restaurant in Beijing. — AFP

This photo taken on Dec 17, 2019 shows the walls of the house of matchmaker Zhu Fang covered with the images of single women who have come to him over the years in Beijing. — AFP

A wall of the house of matchmaker Zhu Fang covered with the images of single women who have come to him over the years in Beijing. — AFP

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