Should You Upload Your DNA to 23Mofang or Take the Native Test?
At the very beginning of my birth parent search, I took a 23andMe DNA test. At the time, I didn’t know what my future held. I wasn’t sure if I would ever go to China, or where this journey might lead. But I knew I wanted to start somewhere.
After reading some resources from the Nanchang Project, I learned that uploading my 23andMe data to other DNA databases could expand my chances of finding a match. One of the platforms I tried was 23Mofang, which is the largest DNA testing company in China.
At first, I didn’t expect much. But after I moved to China and entered my second year here, I returned to the Nanchang Project’s blog for more insight. That’s when I came across a recommendation I had overlooked. They suggested that taking the native 23Mofang test in person would provide better results for matching.
By then, most of my other leads had gone cold, so I decided to give it a try. It felt like one more step forward and one more way to keep searching.
The Big Question:
Should you upload your existing DNA data to 23Mofang or order their native test kit?
After trying both, I want to share what I learned to help you decide which option might be right for your own journey.
Important Note: You Must Be in China to Take the Test
23Mofang only ships and processes kits within mainland China. Due to strict regulations, China does not allow the import of human biological samples, including saliva or DNA, from outside the country. That means:
You must be physically in China to take the test.
23Mofang will only ship to a China-based address.
Your sample has to be returned from within China as well.
If you're abroad and hoping to take the test, you'll need to wait until you're visiting China or ask someone local to help coordinate the delivery and return process while you're there.
Timeline
Wondering how long it actually takes to go from ordering the test to getting your results? Here’s how it played out for me:
Nov 18 – Kit Ordered
Nov 21 – Kit Arrived
Nov 25 – Took the test and shipped the kit back
Dec 8 – Received genealogy results
Dec 16 – Received DNA members
So from start to finish, it took just under a month to get everything and the results rolled out in phases. Ancestry came first, then family matches about a week later.
Ethnicity Breakdown: More Refined with Native Test
When I uploaded my 23andMe data, I was placed into four ethnic groups:
Southern Han: 71.42%
Miao: 14.92%
Zhuang & Dai: 10.06%
Lahu: 3.59%
After taking 23Mofang’s native kit, the percentages changed:
Southern Han: 83.18%
Zhuang & Dai: 10.71%
Miao: 3.54%
Lahu: 2.57%
Takeaway: The native kit provides more precise percentages and a higher confidence rate in dominant ethnic markers like Southern Han. It also reshuffles the significance of smaller ancestries, which could matter a lot if you're tracing specific ethnic heritage.
Number of DNA Matches: Huge Difference
Here’s where things got interesting.
With my 23andMe upload, I had 162 DNA matches across 22 provinces. My closest match was estimated to be 5th generation. Not bad, but not heart-racing either.
After taking the native test?
460 matches in 28 provinces. (That’s almost 3x the matches!)
And my closest match? 3rd generation.
More matches = more chances to find close biological relatives.
Trait and Health Reports
While I didn’t take the test specifically for the health reports, I do love learning more about myself.
Some of the insights were quirky:
High alcohol tolerance - ironic since I don’t like alcohol
Strong face recognition abilities - strongly disagree with this one
Above-average sprinting genes (but below average for marathons) - also ironic since I don’t run
High potential for music recognition - also disagree with, thanks ADHD
Predisposition to mosquito bites - too freaking true
Slower metabolism for fried foods (sorry, 三杯鸡) - so sad
Others were thought provoking:
Genetically likely to help others
Able to stay calm under pressure
Genetic markers for anti-aging potential
Cost Comparison
If you're thinking about buying the 23Mofang kit, don’t rush to pay full price. China has a lot of shopping holidays, and 23Mofang almost always runs special promos around them.
The biggest one is Double 11 (11.11) — also known as Singles Day — which is kind of like China’s version of Black Friday. But there are also great deals during:
New Year’s sales
Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year)
618 Festival (June 18th)
Mid-Autumn Festival / National Day promos
12.12 (another major online shopping day)
Christmas
I bought mine during the Double 11 sale for ¥619. You’ll often see limited-time discounts or bundles (sometimes with extra health reports included).
If you’re not in a rush, it’s worth keeping an eye out.
Basic Test ¥599: Traits focused
Standard Test ¥799: More comprehensive with health reports
Upload your own data ¥299: from another kit (like 23 and Me)
Who This Is For
If you’re thinking about using 23Mofang, the right option really depends on where you are in your journey (both physically and emotionally)
The full 23Mofang DNA kit is best for people who are already in China or planning to come soon. Since the test has to be taken and returned from within the country, it’s ideal if you’re living here, visiting for an extended stay, or know you’ll be able to get the kit delivered to a Chinese address.
The 23Mofang upload option is better suited for those who aren’t sure when (or if) they’ll make it to China. If you’ve already done 23andMe and want to get a sense of your Chinese ethnicity breakdown or see a few distant matches, uploading is an easy and affordable first step. Just know that the matches are limited, and the deeper features won't be fully available to you unless you take the native test later.
If you’re not coming to China anytime soon, the upload option gives you something to work with. But if you are here or planning to be, the full test is absolutely worth waiting for.
Thinking of taking the leap?
You can order a kit or upload your data directly through 23Mofang. Just don’t forget to scan the discount QR code first.
Keep in mind that your test results can only be processed within a certain time frame (about three months, if I remember right), so try to order the kit close to when you actually plan to use it.
