Chinese Net users are feeling down about the prospects of marriage, after viewing an online map identifying the value of betrothal gifts given to brides across the country.

The map released by news portal sina.com and based on a survey of more than 3,000 respondents, divided China's 28 provinces and regions, four municipalities and two special administrative regions into five groups based on the monetary value of the gifts: 1 million yuan ($163,200), 500,000 yuan, 100,000 yuan, 10,000 yuan - and 0 yuan.

Shanghai and Tianjin belong to the most expensive group, where men getting married are expected to have an apartment and prepare an additional 100,000 yuan.

The 10,000 yuan-group covers many places in China, including Beijing, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. Chongqing is the exception, where the gift is valued at 0 yuan.

"After looking at the map, I burst into tears. Some places have even marked the gifts in the weight of bank notes," said Net user Liuleideshayu, referring to Shandong Province, where the gift was marked as 1.5 kilograms of 100 yuan-bank notes.

"The marriage situation for men in Shanghai and Tianjin is tragic," said Net user Xiaoxiaodehaitunzai.

Net user Dengyipiaoyin said that nowadays in China, marriage is treated more like a business, in which love is no longer the most important aspect of the relationship.

But Net user JOE_study said that there is nothing wrong with a man giving these gifts to a future bride as it will prove to her family that he is serious about the marriage.

Global Times