KAOHSIUNG -- area code (886-7)

Kaohsiung sports some of Taipei's concrete canyon looks in its quickly redeveloping downtown area, but it still retains a breezy spaciousness accented by its landscaped river and harbor. There is a charming traditional fresh goods arcade, some well-worn local temples and a bustling night market. Mostly used as a gateway for industry and tourists winging in or out of its gorgeous modern international airport, Kaohsiung is well worth exploring for a day or two, particularly if you've hooked up online with a new friend who can show you around.

The population of Kaohsiung is 1.5 million (that's about 60,000 Utopians who live in the vicinity).

• Kaohsiung Gay Scene Updates message forum
• Lesbian listings
• Men in Kaohsiung message forum

The updated and expanded 2nd Edition of the Utopia Guide to Taiwan offers a fresh insider's glimpse at the gay and lesbian scene in 12 cities including Taipei, Kaohsiung, Tainan and Taichung. Listings include organizations, bars, discos, accommodations, spas, restaurants, and more. A special section highlights venues that are especially welcoming for women. Enjoy savvy comments and recommendations from local Utopians and gay travelers. Click here to order

• GAMA&LAMA
  P.O. Box 1282, Kaohsiung. Gay and lesbian organization promoting the development of homosexual identity and the improvement of G&L life in society.
• Lutheran Church of Christ
  PO Box 32-75, 0952-168-766, email. Located near the Jiu-Ru Rd Train Station, Lutheran Church of Christ is Taiwan's first Lutheran LGBT friendly church serving a gay and lesbian congregation. In addition to traditional Sun services, they also offer a wide range of social activities to help LGBT couples grow in their personal relationship. Though at present there is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships in Taiwan, the church offers same-sex couples a Service of Blessing. Contact Pr. Smith for more information.

Click here for Kaohsiung hotels and accommodations.

• Cai Se Min
  5 Da Yong St, 551-3757, 561-7276
• Honey
  281-0846, 281-0845.

  Made in Taiwan (mixed) 2-2 Yuzhu 1st St, map and directions, 282-8567, email. A friendly, gay-owned BBQ and beer bar in a cozy, rustic country style atmosphere. Recommended as a good first-stop on an evening out. Reasonably priced and popular with local gays. Busiest after 9pm Sat. The owner speaks English and is full of useful information. Drop by and tell them Utopia sent you! Utopia Member Discount

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Made in Taiwan is very clean with mostly a local, but friendly, crowd. Some of the waiters and the manager speak English. It is not terribly cruisy -- some people come here to play card games, others to unwind and relax." -- ljdashan, Apr 5, 2008

  "Made in Taiwan is a great little bar. Jay, the owner, actually fetched us on his scooter when we called him and told him we couldn't find his club. It turns out it wasn't that far away. Jay is great, and a fountain of information. I recommend you make this bar your home base for your explorations of the city." -- bigjim, Sep 23, 2006

  "Made in Taiwan really is a great place to go. On a quiet night it is a pleasure talking with the owner, Jay, who is friendly and helpful." -- piliferous, Jul 27, 2006

• Ba Zhun (men), 215-2025.
• Colorful Pad Pub
  2/F, 5 Tayou St, Yen Chen District, 551-3757, 561-7276.
• Da Heng Game
  No. 8, Lane 56, Wu Fu 3rd Rd, 215-5512. Club for mature men and their admirers.
• Girls? (transexuals and transvestites), 225-8882.
• Marui
  No. 120 Shing Tieb Rd, 271-4523. Stylish gay-owned coffee shop with karaoke club downstairs. The owner speaks Japanese. Gay magazines on sale. Monthly special shows. Gay and lesbian clientele.
• Ming Chiang
  7/F, No.249, Chi Hsien 2nd Rd, 215-8335.
• Possible
  2/F, No.461, Chung Shen 2nd Rd, 330-3083. Very friendly, cozy karaoke pub with tiny dance floor for doing the cha-cha.
• Private Life
  B/F No.278, Chi Hsien 3rd Rd, 561-1100, email. The staff here are very friendly and helpful. They do no speak much English but will try to communicate with you or locate someone who can speak English. Average age is 40+. Fri and Sat nights are the busiest.

• Kaohsiung Man Aromatherapy Massage
  Near Kaohsiung Station nearby, 0918-293-691, email. Gay-friendly massage for men.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Kaohsiung Man Aromatherapy Massage is a great place. Really enjoyed my massage there. Good looking, friendly masseurs." -- ,Apr 1, 2008

• Black Forrest
  Difficult to find. Ask a local to show you. Path through the trees that gets busy at night. "Rush hour" is 11pm-midnight, but stays active until 2am.
• Kuo-gong Cinema
  6/F Da-you St. Opposite Colorful Pan Pub (see under Karaoke). The cinema shows straight adult movies but mostly gay audience. Busy facilities. Open daily.
• Love River
  He-xi Rd, between Zhong-zheng Bridge and Qi-xian Bridge. Go along Zhong-zheng 4th Rd, after crossing over Zhong-zheng bridge, make a right turn, or go along Qi-xian 2nd Rd, after crossing over Q9-xian bridge, make a left turn. Small park, nights.

• Milky Way
  253 Chi Shien 3rd Rd, Yen Chen Dist. (next to Shou Shin Cinema), 532-5366. Formerly Han Chin Guan. Older men go here.
• Station Sauna
  226 Nan-Hwa Rd, 235-4612. Five floor facility attracts more robust types of grass-roots guys, gorgeous sporty hunks, workers, mature men and bear/bulk types. This is a friendly, working class bath complex that out-of-town Chinese also overnight in as a cheap alternative to a hotel. G/F has free Internet access, gym, a karaoke room, and a snack lounge (free breakfast and afternoon tea served). 2/F has lockers, steam, showers, and bathing pools. 3/F and 4/F have dark lounges, cabins, and massage rooms for those who want a rub down. Rooftop garden area for warm summer nights.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "This place is a much better choice for non-Taiwanese, plus bulkier men are more appreciated here. Visitors I have brought had more fun here than in 101. The two floors of cubicles are very busy Sat nights (they may all be full). Please note that condoms are available at the counter. Just ask for them in English (if they don't understand use sign language). Make sure you have your safety supplies with you as you explore all five floors. The towels in Station are atrocious. They are small and slippery and always fall off. If you are a larger build you may well consider bringing your own. The color they use is light green (if you want to blend in). Some fun can be found here during the weekdays, but don’t expect much. Sun afternoons can be quite busy, but it slows down after 4pm." -- piliferous, Jul 27, 2006