In China, hikers at Mount Tai can now book and pay for "climbing buddies" who accompany them by walking, carrying bags, and taking photos during daytime climbs, a service growing in popularity in Shandong province [1, 2].
The companionship economy extends beyond hiking. It includes paid partners for running, sightseeing, and eating out at hotpot restaurants across Chinese cities [1, 2]. Providers are often students or gig workers advertising on social media. They promise emotional support, conversation, and practical help, reflecting the demand for both social and functional companionship [1, 2].
The sector grew from informal favors among friends into a formal paid service market. This change is driven by shifts in urban lifestyles, rising youth unemployment, and the expansion of flexible gig work, which now involves over 200 million workers nationwide [1].
One notable example is a company founded in 2022 by ex-army veteran Chen Wenxin that offers hiking companions in Shandong. Chen's company expanded from fewer than 10 workers initially to around 370 employees. They charge 800 yuan for daytime Mount Tai hikes [1]. Chen said, "I noticed rising demand in the hiking escort service, then decided to try my hand in the field" [1].
Estimates of the companionship economy’s size vary. State media and researchers cited figures around 500 billion yuan (approximately S$95 billion) in 2025 [1]. Another estimate values the market at about US$74 billion [2].
According to psychotherapist Sami Wong, an attraction of paying for companionship is certainty in interaction. Wong said, "When you pay for this service you always get a ‘yes’" [1]. This suggests clients seek assured emotional engagement alongside practical help.
The companionship economy remains largely untracked officially but reflects a growing trend fueled by social and economic changes in China. Chen Wenxin’s company, among others, continues to expand services to meet demand, signifying the scaling of this new market segment [1].
