XIAMEN (Fujian Province) -- area code (86-592)

This clean and beautiful seaside city is a favorite destination for Chinese travelers and also foreign visitors looking to escape the overdeveloped muscular major cities. The picturesque island of Gulang Yu sits just five minutes by ferry off the southwest coast of the main island. Here, foreign entrepreneurs built their pleasure villas and drifted in and out of opium dens, brothels and tea houses. Cars are not allowed on Gulang Yu so you can spend an entire day on foot exploring the heritage architecture, museums, shops, nature hikes, and even a beach. Yundang lake, with its restaurants and island park, is a favorite evening outing for locals.

The population of Xiamen is over 1.3 million (that's more than 50,000 Utopians).

• Men in Xiamen message forum
• Xiamen Gay Scene Updates 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

Click here for Xiamen hotels and accommodations.

• Nong Qing Gan Wan Jiu Ba
  G/F Da Tong Lu Xin Lu Jie (a small intersection in downtown Xiamen), directions and map, 869-1432, 135-9951-4790. This karaoke and disco bar is located in a blind alley, on the right side of the street. Many English songs for singing along. Local crowd. Lesbians are also welcome. Utopia Member Discount

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Nong Qing Gan Wan Jiu Ba now has a new owner. The beer is very reasonable - Y$10 for the local brew. Mostly Chinese karaoke, but around 11pm there will be some disco dance, too." -- francois, Jun 30, 2008

• Xiamen Country Club (Xiang Chun Lie Che)
  2/F Fujing Dajie Yi Jie Dian Er Rd, directions and map, 251-8029, 0593-219-1169. A small, but cozy, place with karaoke. Some English songs are also available. Lesbians are also welcome.

• Tong Yin Bar
  3/F Da Tong Lu (above the Agricultural Bank of China on the corner a few blocks down the street opposite the ferry pier). Large club (by Xiamen standards) with Sat night drag shows. Open nightly.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Visited Tong Yin Bar the other day. The place is pretty untidy. A small bottle of local beer was offered for Y$100 which is sold for Y$30-40 maximum at much better places. When we refused, the price suddenly dropped to Y$50. We left immediately without drinking anything. Good that we asked for the price first. Take care! Terrible when places think they can cheat visitors." -- francois, Jun 30, 2008

• Alexander
  See under Saunas. This gay sauna also has a limited number of masseurs available.

  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

• Sakura Sauna Club (mixed)
  189 Huachang Lu, Hu Li, directions and map, 562-4488. Not gay, but has male masseurs.

  Xiamen 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

• Facilities at the ferry pier.
• Lun Du, at the sea-front close to the pier.

There are lots of very good international restaurants to choose from along Yundang Waihu lake near the Marco Polo hotel. Sit inside or outside with a camera-ready view of the water reflecting the rainbow colored light show of modern Xiamen highrises.

• Yin He
  3/F 20 Da Yuan Lu, 0592-291-3648. On the 3rd floor of the Lu Jiang Movie Theater, close to the ferry. Clean and friendly crowd.

• LookSee (sexy male underwear)
  Sheng Ping Lu (parallel to Zhong Shan Lu, the main street in downtown Xiamen), directions in Chinese, 213-7973, email.