228 Zhizaoju Lu, map and directions, 021-6313-5567. There are two Lianbang bathhouses, both at the same address. One of them is straight (on the left) and the other is all gay men (on the right). The gay one is the more inner one (and more run down). The upper floors are busiest, with 3/F having smaller rooms, and 4/F with bigger rooms. Rooms have TVs in them, in case you get tired of cruising. The crowd there is not for the faint hearted. They can be a bit rowdy and most of them seem to know each other pretty well. Very diversified range of ages and physiques, from the muscular to the mature. Busy on weekends. Beware of MBs. Massage available. Open 24 hours. 联邦浴室, 制造局路228号

Comments from Utopians:

"Pleased to report the facilities have been largely renovated. The lockers are now on 1/F, with the showers, which are clean and improved (separate stalls, though everyone in attendance is there to be seen). Steam rooms are very small, but most action seems to happen upstairs. 2/F and 3/F are quite cruisy. Entrance fee is still only Y$50 and includes a place to sleep - though unclear how much sleeping actually goes on. The improvements include clean bed covers in between use. There is also a new communal massage room where massuers are available for traditional Chinese massage -- all very reasonably priced. You can also get a special Y$200 massage in a private room. If you plan to play though, bring your own supplies. Sadly, too many seem to play unsafely. Grow up fellows." -- OuLaowei , Feb 2, 2008

"Great fun and a very friendly crowd." -- dancerman, Jun 27, 2007

"Lots of loud people. The rooms are packed. There are people smoking. Tips: bring your own slippers, towel, tooth brush, condoms, etc." -- legatoboy, Mar 11, 2007

"Sorry to hear about Francois' bad experience with a guy he met at Lianbang. I wanna warn you guys not to go out with any young handsome guys with tattoos on their arms. The tattoos show that they belong to an organized gang whose intention is to drain you of your money. I met such a guy in Lianbang but ignored his sweet talk and offers. Besides, if you want to have fun, you can stay overnight at Lianbang for just Y$10 extra and you won't have to worry about losing your valuables if you have them in the locker downstairs. There are several young and handsome hustler renting Lianbang rooms. Beware of those moneyboys!" -- Fip, Sep 15, 2006

"Visited Lianbang sauna and met a Chinese guy there (22, slim, short hair, 3 small tattoos on the left arm) and we went together to my hotel. Although I was suspicious, he lulled me into a false sense of security. Then he took my cellphone and wallet when I was taking a shower. I just want to warn Utopians to be extremely cautious in a similar situation!" -- Francois, Sep 12, 2006

"Take Bus 18 or 23 from Renmin Guangchang (People's Square), get off at Xietu Lu and walk through Xietu Lu to Zhizaoju Lu to find Lianbang Hotel. There is also a bus stop right in front and bus 18 and 23 pass by here to the city. Enter into a foyer and find the gay sauna on the right side (do not go to the end). There is a lady at the reception. Room hours are from 10pm-11am. There are two types of rooms, one for 4 persons and another for two persons. Best to get the 2-men room for more privacy. You are given a small towel and a set of clothes to put on after you shower. No condoms or lube are provided so bring your own. You are allowed to go out for one hour only to eat (with sauna slippers on). There are also several young and handsome guys staying in some of the rooms. Do not fall for their sweet talk and advances or you will have to pay them. There is one dry sauna in the shower area, and four little steam rooms. TV in each room (no porno). Lockers were large enough for my luggage. 24-hour reception." -- Fip, Jul 26, 2006

"I just stayed 10 days at Lianbang. It was clean and friendly. Thanks to your information I could prevent paying huge sums at hotels and I had a lot of fun being a blond from Holland. My Chinese handy phone, though, was stolen from my room for I failed to understand how to lock the door: you should push a button on the handle inside to set the lock before closing the door from the outside. The sauna only provides extremely small towels and there are no condoms available. Bring your own safety supplies and share them with others." -- flyingspirit, Jul 4, 2006

415 Baotong Rd (near Zhongxing Rd). Many gay people. (上海铜欣浴池,宝通路415号2楼,靠近中兴路)

6 Linping Rd (near Gongping Rd). Gay, but cheap, so don't expect the best facilities. Go to 2/F, not to the 1/F shower (there are no people there). 3/F has an active resting area. 上海银欣浴室,临平路6号,靠近公平路.

Comments from Utopians:

"Yin Xin Sauna has an sometimes-enforced 'no foreigners' policy; first time I was there I got in, second time not. Interesting, but extremely run down and unclean. It is really scraping the bottom of the sanitation barrel. Very poor guys from outside Shanghai mostly, always asking for some financial help." -- horserule, June 1, 2007

Yu De Lu, Pudong (also several other branches around the city). Not gay, so be discreet. Most patrons are businessmen and family men. Some may approach if they are interested. Five different hot pools: birch tree jacuzzi, Chinese herbal, ginseng, etc. Also on offer are finger pressure massage and hard-hitting rub backs.

157 Zhoushan Rd (near Kunming Rd). Gay, but cheap, so don't expect the best facilities. 上海舟山浴池,地址: 舟山路157弄,靠近昆明路

"For many beautiful men you might enjoy visiting a straight sauna where guys of all shapes and sizes walk around totally naked. Try Jinse Chitang, Garden Bathhouse (Huayuan Yuchang). It's on Qinzhou Lu, in the Shanghai Stadium area, just before the Wuxingtang Health Center for Men massage parlor. The nearest metro would be the Caoxi Lu station. Walk down Qinzhou Lu for about 5-10 minutes and on the left you will find their big signboard. Inside the men's section there are four pools to dip yourself in: a vinegar pool with cool water, a Chinese herbal pool, a ginseng pool, and a regular jacuzzi. They also have a dry sauna and a steam room. Entry for shower and sauna only is Y$28. You can stay in one of the rooms upstairs for Y$60 (two beds with aircon and TV). Very clean and comfortable. The pool and showers look clean and were working. Pool water gets changed every week. Naked body scrub by mature maasseurs costs Y$25. Worth a visit and nice to stay if you travel on a budget. Large pieces of luggage may be left at the counter." -- Fip, Jul 26, 2006