HANGZHOU (Zhejiang Province) -- area code (86-571)

Marco Polo passed through Hangzhou in the 13th century and called it one of the most splendid cities in the world. Today, Hangzou is a bustling lakeside resort popular with Chinese holiday makers. The enormous West Lake retains the romance of long ago, with misty vistas that seem to have been lifted from a painted scroll.

Population is 6 million (that's a quarter million Utopians).

• Hangzhou Gay Scene Updates message forum
• Men in Hangzhou message forum

The Utopia Guide to China (2nd Edition) is an expanded and updated guidebook to the gay and lesbian scene in 50 Chinese cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Included are bars, discos, spas, and restaurants. Enjoy hundreds of savvy comments and recommendations from local Utopians and travelers. Click here to order

• Jundu Club
  8597-7186, 135-8882-5188, map and directions. Near the intersection of Baochu Lu and Bei Shan Lu at the northern most shore of West Lake. With your back to West Lake, walk northwest up Baochu Lu for about fifty meters. To your right there is a narrow road leading off through the park. Walk along this road for about 100 metres. On your right is a building/bar/tea-house. The gay bar is in the basement and is the 2nd bar from the corner (the first one is straight). Disco dancing starting about 10pm, with karaoke going on before that. Crowd is a mix of locals and foreigners.

Hangzhou Star Male Massage Appointments: (0)135-2443-9085 (English and Chinese), email. Gay-owned massage business. Handsome, friendly Chinese masseurs offering relaxing massage for men. Outcall only. Utopia Member Discount

Mr Strong Massage Appointments: (0)137-9536-9578, email. Gay-managed 24-hour outcall massage by male therapists. Foot reflexology, Chinese, Thai and oil massage. They offer a number of massage styles and their masseurs are young and strong. Utopia Member Discount

Neil Massage Appointments: 137-8892-0568, email. 24-hour outcall massage by male therapists. Foot reflexology, Chinese, Thai and oil massage. Utopia Member Discount

• Over Seas Chinese Hotel

• He Cha Guan (tea house)
  77 Huai Min Rd (at the intersection of So Yan An South Rd), 8782-9711, 8782-9733. A modern tea house with traditional decor and booth seating with curtains that may be drawn for extra privacy. Try a variety of teas while you sample a strange selection of treats from a "tea buffet". A very cozy and relaxing place.

• Han Lin Cun
  2 Baochu Lu, 8521-1745. Off Baochu Lu, between West Lake and Fen Qi Lu in the Hwa Yang Lian Hua area. Standing at the intersection of Baochu Lu and Bei Shan Lu, at the northern most shore of West Lake, walk northwest up Baochu Lu. After about 50m there will be a narrow road on your right leading off through the park. Ignore this and keep walking along Baochu Lu for another 60m or so. Turn right and walk about 50m past the discos on your right, the restaurants on your left, and under the sign that reads Chenglong Building Group. The disco on your right and restaurant on your left merge above you; enabling you to walk through the building. But don't! When you arrive under the covered area, turn to your right and walk down the steps and through the glass doors. Open 24/7. Massage also available.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "There is a sign for 8m to Han Lin Cunin Chinese under the big purple sign of Club 2. At No. 2 Bao Chu Lu there is a big sign in Chinese for Han Lin Cunwith an arrow pointing to the entrance downstairs. The place was clean enough and the staff and masseurs were very friendly. There was a dry sauna but the door was wide open and it seemed out of order. Entry is Y$25 plus a towel can be purchased for Y$1 the front desk. If you are staying overnight just add Y$10 and show your ID for registration (which is the same everywhere in China for and overnight stay). It is walking distance from the Hyatt and Shangri-La and plenty other hotels by the lake nearby." -- h2008bj, Oct 27, 2007

  "Han Lin Cun is, according to the locals, the best place to find fun. Basically it has dozens of daybeds put together in a square configuration. Also a dark room. There are about 5 showers in the wet area and a blacklight sauna. Best thing about this place is that Zhejiangnese massuers are not very pushy at all." -- Loneranger , Nov 6, 2006

  "Han Lin Cun is mainly a dark room. The staff sitting around watching the guests enjoying themselves is a little bit weird. But lots of action, and the guys there are not too bad. Entry is Y$25 on weekends and Y$1 for a towel." -- Lostmyheart, Oct 8, 2006

  "Tons of action at Han Lin Cun. Weekends best." -- sensei, Jul 16, 2006

  "Han Lin Cun has been open less than three months. It is owned by the same people who own Jundu Club. Ask them for a business card with a map. It is clean, MUCH cleaner than the bath near the East Bus Station." -- AussieGuy, Apr 26, 2006

• Xin Dingling
  2/F 68 Genshan West Rd (west side of Blue Sky Hotel), 8567-7598. New gay sauna near the East Bus Station. Drag shows reported on Sat and Sun nights.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "You Hui Quan sauna has changed hands and is now totally STRAIGHT and immaculately clean, with functioning sauna and whirlpools. Well worth the Y$20 I spent to find out that it has new owners, plus Y$10 for a soapy body scrub. It's a pity it was never this clean when it was GAY! Perhaps they wouldn't have had to sell. For anyone who has never actually experienced a real Chinese bath, it's worth a couple of hours." -- sensei , Nov 22, 2006

  "There is a gigantic bathhouse of excellent executive standards called Dong Fang Vei-Ni-Si (Eastern Venice). It's really huge -- about 6 storeys. Each floor is larger than a basketball stadium. It's a normal bathhouse, not strictly PLU. But it's one of the cheapest places to spend a night at Y$88. " -- Loneranger, Nov 4, 2006

  "A gay sauna/sleeping room is located near the East Bus Station: 汽车东站附近的天德池 When walking out of the station you are confronted by a fly-over. Do NOT cross over the road; stay on the same side of the road as the bus station, turn left and walk towards downtown Hangzhou. After about 100-150m you will come to the first crossroad. Turn right, walk under the fly-over to the other side of the road. Walking straight ahead you’ll see a narrow street. Walk down that street for 60m and on your right is the sauna. The entrance looks more like a hotel entrance (I think there is a hotel on the same premises). Ask for the sauna and you’ll be shown the way. It cost me Y$36 for an overnight stay. The bathing area is rather grubby and a tad run-down, but it is definitely 100% gay. Lots happens upstairs where you can sleep (or TRY to sleep) in the public area. There is lots of fun everywhere -- no one is bashful." -- AussieGuy, Oct 12, 2005