In this matriarchal society, men and women rarely interact alone during the day. If a man is attracted to a woman, they arrange a meeting. He visits her "flower tower" at night, entering through a window, and hangs an item like a hat outside to signal their privacy. He leaves before dawn.

However, as ethnic groups increasingly integrate into mainstream culture, only about 30% of Mosuo now adhere to walking marriages. This blend of enduring tradition and gradual change makes their society a compelling subject for understanding cultural preservation amid modernization.