Homosexuality is not an aberrant blip on the cultural radar of Chinese history. Ancient records mention queers as far back as the Shang Dynasty (that's 1,700 years before Christ ever said nothing about gay love). During the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - 9 A.D.) nearly all Emperors were recorded as having had male lovers. The traditional attitude was generally tolerant as long as men fulfilled their filial duties to take a wife and produce heirs. Not until the Song dynasty did laws emerge to control popular male prostitution.

Qing Dynasty conservative Confucians (17th century), buggery-obsessed British-colonial imperialists (18th century), and Mao with his catastrophic pogrom to annihilate Chinese cultural tradition (20th century), all failed to stamp out the human reality of same-sex love and gender diversity. A short-lived attempt to stifle the natural by adding homosexuality to the official list of diseases fizzled in April, 2001, when physicians updating the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders pressed their collective undo button.

China's long literary tradition offers many elegant references to socially accepted gay and lesbian relationships in the ruling classes. Indeed, some of those legendary romances are still referenced in contemporary language used to describe homosexuality. Alas, the lives and loves of common folk and women were rarely valued enough to be put into song, verse, or scholarly library, and so these listings offer a remarkable glimpse at the comtemporary everyday gay scene enjoyed by millions of comrade Utopians.

With nascent GLBT events and festivals in Beijing and Shanghai, and with the emerging power of the middle class, China's gay scene seems set to blossom.

Chinese gays are tech savvy and have found ways of making technology part of gay lifestyle. QQ is the most popular online messenger in China and it's a combination of YM, MSN and mIRC programs. There are QQ groups who frequently organize meet-and-greets at the gay bars, celebrating special occasions or any other event they can think of to congregate. Members voluntarily sing, dance or perform in drag or just simply drink and check out the other members mostly comprised of university students or guys in their 20s. You can Google and download an English version of QQ. The trickier part is getting admitted to the QQ groups. Ask a local to help you with this one. Each city in China has its own QQ gay groups.

As rosy as the future may seem for comrade homosexuals, the reality is that millions of them are living under accute pressure from their families to take a job they have no interest in and to marry and have a child even when it goes against their natural desires. Forced to lie to their parents or to themselves, this untenable situation requires much more education of the basic facts of life.

Sadly, with frank discussion of sexuality suppressed for decades in communist China, the HIV/AIDS epidemic was able to sweep across the country unchecked. Now playing catch-up, the government has had to recognize not only the diversity of The People, but that gays and lesbians are often frontline teachers and caregivers in the battle against AIDS.

• Being Gay in China a special audio report by BBC World Service
• China / Hong Kong Gay & Lesbian News
• China Gay Scene Updates message forum
• Some thoughts on Homosexuality and the Law in China
• Lesbian listings
• Manifesto of the 1996 Tongzhi Conference
• Men in China message forum
• Travel in China message forum
• Additional Links and Resources

• Friend Exchange
  +86-532-8271-0247, email pytx@263.com. A bimonthly AIDS awareness magazine for gay men in China. Funded by the New York City-based Ford Foundation, the magazine serves as a "primer for gay men on how to avoid AIDS." Each issue of the magazine includes at least 10 pages devoted to the topic of HIV/AIDS and a guide to safe sex for male readers.
• mENbox
• Time Out
  This English-language monthly magazine available widely around the country has a gay and lesbian page.

• China AIDS/HIV organizations and information
• Chinese Tongzhi Conference
  Email. Since 1996, the Tongzhi Conference has been successfully held multiple times in Hong Kong (1996, 1998, 1999, 2004) and in Taipei (2001). It has become an important international gathering for Chinese tongzhi (LGBT) and their supporters around the world. In addition to the conference itself, they also sponsor a series of tongzhi events throughout the conference week, such as public education activities, social gatherings and dance parties.
• Hotline beeper service to provide info on the lesbian/bisexual/gay scene and counseling: 010-6833-8800, Tues and Thu nights 7-10pm and on Sat afternoon from noon-6pm.
• International Chinese Comrades Organization (ICCO)
  Their mission is to provide related information to the queer comrades who lack information and resources in China, to provide services to those comrades whose civil rights are violated, and to build a global network for Chinese comrades.
• Women's Groups

ChinaMango +86-135-5294-9596, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly, professional licensed tour guides in Beijing, Xi'an, Chengde, Xinjiang and Pingyao. Discreet, individual tours for discerning travelers. Day and night tours. Customize a tour for you and your friends at no extra cost. Explore each city's best places for eating, shopping and nightlife. Speedy reply with helpful advice and itinerary suggestions. Utopia Member Discount

• Concorde Travel
  1/F Galuxe Bld, 8-10 On Lan St, Central, (852) 2526-3391, 2845-0485, email. Gay-owned leisure travel business, both inbound (visiting Hong Kong and the whole of China), and outbound worldwide from Hong Kong. Tailor-made itineraries are a specialty.
• Go Pink China
  Email. A professional gay travel service dedicated to providing alternative travel solutions in China. Experience exceptional quality services within a 100% gay-friendly environment and access to gay entertainment and local community life. No deposit, no cancellation fee or postponement charges. Pay upon the start of your tour. Destinations include Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, the Silk Road, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guilin.
• YOUR Guide to China
  138-1761-1068, email. Gay tour guide service based in Shanghai and operating in various cities around China. Assistance with sightseeing, hotels, air tickets, car and driver, plus domestic travel arrangements. Inquire about creating a custom holiday package with personalized service. Utopia Member Discount

Anshun (Guizhou Province) -- area code (86-853)

• Jianshen Bath Hall
• Square in front of the Railway Station
• Xiaodongmen Park

Anyang (Henan Province) -- area code (86-372)

Population is about 5 million (that's 200,000 Utopians).

• Culture Palace

Baoding

• Opposite Heibei Theater (Heibei Yingjuyuan)

Baotou (Inner Mongolia) -- area code (86-472)

The population of Baotou is over 2 million (that's about 80,000 Utopians).

• Kakadu Disco (mixed)
  Gangtie Dajie (near intersection of Lin Yin Lu). Mixed place, but after 10pm the gay ratio increases remarkably. Las Vegas-style drag queen and dancer shows with half-naked guys. Nice place to be. Open nightly till 2am, busiest Fri-Sun.

Beijing

Click here for Beijing listings.

Benxi

• Worker's Palace

Cangzhou (Heibei Province)

• Long Distance Bus Terminal
• Opposite the Jiuhe Hotel

Changchun (Jilin Province)

Changchun is the capital and largest city of Jilin province, located in China's northeast. The population of the metropolitan area is over 7 million (that's almost 300,000 Utopians).

• San Paolo Bar (Sheng Bao Luo)
  Zhu Jiang Lu (off of Nan Guang Chang), 131-5431-7488, email. This friendly gay bar welcomes gay men as well as lesbians. Large dance floor and nightly shows. Karaoke also available.

Changsha (Hunan Province) -- area code (86-731)

Population is over 6 million (and that's more than a quarter million Utopians).

• Glamor
  Easy to find, near the Wal Mart. You can see it from the McDonalds at the entrance to the walking street. With your back to the statue of the Chinese man, it will be to your right across the street. There are a lot of lights and two entrances. One is not marked very well, but the other is clearly visible.It's very open. They have Thai ladyboys that entertain as well as lots of cute Chinese guys.

• TP1069 Club
  A disco popular with gays and featuring live performances every evening.

• Newspaper Post on May 1 Rd
• Facilities near Foreign Language Book Shop

Comments from Utopians:

"Liu Cheng Qiao Da Xia is an exclusively gay sauna located directly opposite the main Xinhua bookstore, east of the Walking St. Take the spiral staircase to 5/F. The map reference is 28ﾰ11'39.37"N, 112ﾰ58'52.51"E." -- Tarn, Jan 1, 2009

Changzhou (Jiangsu Province)

• Bar on 2/FF of the Nanda St Shopping Center. Drag shows on Fri, Sat and Sun are fun and the atmosphere is relaxed. Some guys can also speak English and, probably being the only foreigner, you'll no doubt receive a lot of attention.

CHENGDU (Sichuan Province) -- area code (86-28)

Click here for Chengdu listings.

Chongqing (Chongqing Province) -- area code (86-23)

Chongqing is a city built skyward on a hilly peninsula formed by the confluence of two rivers, one being the mighty Yangtze. Not much remains of central city's older areas. Progress has stripped away much of the charm and replaced it with generic concrete and steel towers.

The population is over 31 million (that's more than 1.2 million Utopians), but for all its potential, the city retains a small-town conservatism and gays socialize on the down low. Still, there are a number of places listed here where you may enjoy a taste of local gay flavor.

• Men in Chongqing message forum

  
  

• Ciqikou
  About a 20 minute cab ride from the CBD to the northeast side of Shapingba Dist. This ancient town was built in 998AD as a commercial harbor for the shipment of porcelain in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This historic neighborhood has been preserved and transformed into a sort of theme park of traditional Chinese culture. Wandering the winding roads, amidst old shophouses and merchant buildings, are throngs of local and visiting Chinese and a few foreign tourists. A huge variety of arts, foods, crafts, clothes and entertainments give Ciqikou a permanent county fair feel. Candy makers sculpt hand-made lollypops of glass-like melted sugar in the shape of beasts from Chinese astrology; cotton candy is spun into wild shapes and colors; a home-made spook house beckons; and overlooking all sits the picturesque Po Lun Temple. 瓷器口
• Shibati
  One of the last remaining old neighborhoods near the CBD. Wander through the area to experience daily life, warts and all. Fascinating and full of memorable details, unlike much of modernized Chongqing. 十八梯

• Ruyi (mixed)
  Hilton Hotel, Lianlukou, Yuzhong Dist. Less than 10 minutes by taxi from the clock tower at the center of town. Ask the driver to take you to the Hilton Hotel. The bar is in the basement of a building opposite the drive-through entrance of the hotel. Very visible with a neon lit doorway. Occasional shows. Busiest Fri and Sat nights. Crowd is mostly gay and young. 如意吧 : 重庆市渝中区两路口希尔顿酒店
• Tian Tan Bay
  Shang Qing Shi, in the back street of firehouse. Gay bar. 天堂吧 : 重庆上清寺消防队后面

Chongqing 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. Chinese, Thai and oil massage. They offer a number of massage styles and masseurs are young and strong. See their website for real masseurs who are available to give you quality service in your hotel or home. Utopia Member Discount

• Metropolitan Plaza shopping center attached to the Harbour Plaza hotel. Facilities and retail areas can be cruisy. 解放碑大都会
• Newspaper Wall (in the center of the walking mall) and benches under the trees. Just a minute walk from the Jiefangbei Xinhua Bookstore. Mature Chinese gays hand out here.
• Starbucks, most branches near tourist areas, but especially the branch at the Red Cliff Cave. 洪崖洞
• Jiefangbei Xinhua Bookstore, near the Liberation Monument click tower in the center of town. 4/F English section can be cruisy in the evenings. 解放碑新华书店

• Chongqing Food Street
  Jiefangbei, CBD. 解放碑 One little stretch of pedestrian mall near the clock tower has been designated as a food street, although the pickings are pretty slim: spicy noodles and mutton satay mostly. Visitors wanting a less adventurous option can go to any of the restaurants in the Metropolitan Plaza shopping center, attached to the Harbour Plaza Hotel, and point at the pictures on menus there. There are also a couple of very good street stalls serving hot noodle soup and dumplings in the alleyway that runs up the hill from the Red Cliff Cave towards the center of town.

• Red Cliff Cave
  In the CBD, just five minutes walk from the clock tower. Not a cave at all, but rather a vertical shopping arcade hugging the face of the riverside cliff opposite the modern performing arts center on the other side of the river. It has a very good traditional food alley where you can taste freshly ground tofu, hand made yam noodles, mallet pounded sweets, or all sorts of local treats. Plus, a cruisy Starbucks up top next to a pirate ship! Arrrr. 洪崖洞

Dali (Yunnan Province)

An old capital of various kingdoms for over 400 years, Dali is one of the most popular tourist spots in Yunnan, just 40 minutes flight from Kunming, and on the way to Lijiang.

• Good Friend Healthcare Center
  202 Yu Er Lu, Dali Old Town, (0872) 267-1940, 690-3326, 139-8851-0607. This center/bar is doing great work in AIDS education and prevention. It provides a small meeting place/tea room/library for local gays, and is trying to support itself by having a bar. The Barry and Martin's Trust supports their outreach and AIDS care activities. They are a friendly group, but with limited English. 大理好朋友健康会所 大理古城玉洱路202号

Dalian (Liaoning Province) -- area code (86-411)

Population is 5.5 million (that's about a quarter million Utopians).
• Men in Dalian message forum

  
  

• Fridays
  2 Ai Hua St. Karaoke early in the early evenings, with dance music later on and on the weekends. The bar is busy and the patrons are very friendly (some speak English, but are a little shy). A great place to make local friends. The bar is very safe, clean and the owner goes out of his way to make visitors feel welcome and comfortable.

Dalian Star Male Massage (0)151-1889-0336, (0)150-1893-4533 (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. Chinese, Thai and oil massage. They offer a number of massage styles and masseurs are young and strong. See their website for real masseurs who are available to give you quality service in your hotel or home. Utopia Member Discount

• Jianmin Bath Hall
• Square in front of the Railway Station
• Zhongshan Park

Fuzhou (Fujian Province) -- area code (86-591)

Population of Fuzhou is nearing 6 million (that's a quarter million Utopians).
• Men in Fuzhou message forum

  
  

• Paradiso cafe ,bar, disco
  5.4 North Rd, Fujian Sports Stadium (inside turn right). Great atmosphere, serving very good European and Asian cuisine. A wide selection of imported wine, Italian coffee and English tea. Handsome waiters and English speaking staff.

• Between Dong Jie Kou Post Office and the Jin Min Movie Theater there is a small street there where gays meet. At night it is dark, but is safe since it is near the main street. Busy from 19:00-24:00. Mostly young gays. Beware of hustlers from the countryside.
• Jiang Bing Park
  It is a park that is along the Min river. You can take #51 bus from the center of town. There is one facility outside of which gays gather. Safe, there are a lot of people around. Best from 18:00-24:00.

GUANGZHOU

Click here for Guangzhou listings.

Guigang

Comments from Utopians:

"A small city two hours drive from Nanning (East). Gays meet at the northeastern corner of the park in front of the Guigang Gouvernment building. At the crossroads between Zhongshan Lu and Hecheng Lu (in the small woods behind the public facilities)." -- suehiro, Aug 6, 2009

Guilin (Guangxi Province) -- area code (86-773)

Population is almost 1.5 million (that's about 60,000 Utopians).

• No. 8 Club (mixed)
  8 Jie Fang Dong Rd, 139-7730-3388, 299-9189, 237-7999. Mixed club frequented by lots of tourists and locals. No dance floor.
• Lv Club (mixed)
  5 Ti Yi Guan Bei Che, Zhen Yang Bu Xing Jie, 288-5188, 288-3188. Another mixed club popular with both tourists and locals. No dance floor. The club gets busy after 11pm.
• Ragazza Pub / Yi Ren (mixed)
  27 Yiren Rd, Zhen Yang Bu Xing Jie, 3282-2222. Another mixed club that gets going after 11pm.

• The Airline Ticket Office
• Bus Station
  Zhongshan Zhong Lu. Facilities are quite active in evenings.
• The General Union

Guiyang (Guizhou Province) -- area code (86-851)

Population is over 3 million (that's about 120,000 Utopians).

• Shang Xia Xian (Up/Down Line)
  Located in the the alley behind the Parkson's nearest to Pen Shui Chi on Zhonghua Lu (take a taxi or walk to "Long Gang Baisheng"). Crowd is about 50/50 gay/lesbian.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "I found one mixed club (50% young gay men at least) call Mini, 583-1113, 582-3336, 150-8600-2524. It is located in the same building as club Pink, 584-0222, 581-2168. It is in the city center close to Soho club." -- suehiro, Feb 19, 2009

• Around the Chairman Mao statue in People's Square in the evening. Lots of eye contact and lots of cute guys!

Comments from Utopians:

"For massage/sauna you can call 150-8604-0664. Not so many customers, but nice staff." -- suehiro, Feb 19, 2009

Haicheng

• Zhongjie Bath Hall

Haikou (Hainan Island) -- area code (86-898)

Prices are low in this small city. A lot of gay men go to the gay bars every night. There is quite a different feeling between a Beijing gay bar and a Hainan gay bar: all the mature men in Beijing bars are usually foreigners, but in Hainan you'll find many middle-aged locals relaxing after work and enjoying Hainan's easy-going atmosphere.

The population is a half million (that's 20,000 Utopians).

Mr Strong Massage Appointments: (0) 137-9536-9578, email. Gay-managed 24-hour outcall massage by male therapists. Chinese, Thai and oil massage. They offer a number of massage styles and masseurs are young and strong. See their website for real masseurs who are available to give you quality service in your hotel or home. Utopia Member Discount

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

Click here for Hangzhou listings.

Harbin / Haerbin (Heilongjiang Province) -- area code (86-451)

Every January Harbin hosts an Ice Festival (Frozen Lamp Festival) that draws people from all over the world.

Harbin's population is over 10 million (that's about 400,000 Utopians).

• Men in Harbin / Haerbin message forum

  
  

Click here for Harbin hotels and accommodations.

• Del I Sai Si (Delicious Bar)
  49 Hong Xia Jie, DaoLi Qu (off of Zhong Yang DaJie shopping street in the center of town, opposite Bremen Hotel), map and directions, 8976-5858. Geared towards the younger 20s crowd, this is another show bar with magic, humor, dancing, lip-sync, and some drag shows. Quite crowded on Fri and Sat night. The crowd was mixed, but obviously friendly. Shows start about 10pm. 德利赛斯酒吧 : 道里区红霞街49号（毗邻中央大街）
• Lanyu (Blue Rain)
  200 Ma Duan Jie, Nan Gang Qu, map and directions, 8273-0073, 133-5251-5255. Bar sign in blue neon letters. It is located on the first floor. Lanyu puts on very elaborate drag shows on Fri and Sat nights -- with lip-syncing, jokes, story telling, and an impressive group dance of some over-the-top drag queens. The walls are adorned with numerous pictures of previous guests and famous people. Drinks are relatively cheap, and they have some simple bar snacks. Be prepared for the sound of endless seed-cracking. Fri nights seem more popular, but there is a healthy Sat crowd. 蓝雨酒吧 : 南岗区马端街200号

• Jiuzhan Park
• Yiman St
• Zhongshan Hotel
• The Zoo

• Mu Lian Hua (mixed)
  115 Gong Le St (corner of Gong Le St and Jian Guo St) in the Dao Li District. Has a sauna, shower, hot pool, and TV room. Mixed crowd but seems quite active.

Hohhot (Inner Mongolia) -- area code (86-471)

Population is nearing 2.5 million (that's about 100,000 Utopians).

Comments from Utopians:

"Best bar to visit is the Dragon Bar, near Jiang Jun Ya Shu. Best club is F1 (just ask a taxi driver, most of them know it), a mixed crowd club. It fills up on the weekends with drag queen shows and loud dance music. Definitely the place to be when looking for some action." -- cayasia, Nov 11, 2008

• Gongyuan Qingcheng
  Southwest corner of this park, around the facilities.

HONG KONG S.A.R.

Click here for Hong Kong listings.

Jiamusi (Heilongjiang Province) -- area code (86-454)

The population of Jiamusi is over 600,000 (that's about 25,000 Utopians).

• Sanjiang Bath Hall
• Xinmuyuan Park

Jilin City (Jilin Province) -- area code (86-432)

The population of Jilin City is over 1.3 million (that's over 50,000 Utopians).

• Skyboys
  Century Square. Really friendly and really cute staff. Inexpensive drinks.

Jinan (Shandong Province) -- area code (86-531)

Population is 5.5 million (that's over 200,000 Utopians).
• Men in Jinan message forum

  
  

• Lanco
  North side of Quan Cheng Hotel, Nan Men St, 674-5929. Near "Hei Hu Quan Park" (Black Tiger Spring Park). Lots of hot guys. Open 6:30pm-2am.

• Landiao
  The club is situated in or near Fo Shan Jie St somewhere behind the Silver Plaza. The doors are painted bright orange and it is across the street from a hot pot restaurant. Bigger than Lanco. There's KTV, a show and a disco afterwards. The drinks are cheap enough and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. It also seems to be a favorite with lesbians. Open till late.
• Shen Lan Jiu Bar
  off Qancheng Rd (first street to the left after the canal, 100m in on the left). Happy young crowd, no entrance charge. Smoky. Karaoke. Occasional great drag show (tatty frocks and torn stockings). Live (usually falsetto) singing - which was quite impressive. Just a little English spoken at the bar. Young crowd.

• Ying Xiong Shan Park (Hero Hill Park)
  Facilities near the statue. Daytime and evenings (busiest). Beware of hustlers.
• Hei Hu Quan Park (Black Tiger Spring Park). Evenings. Some gays. Beware of hustlers.

Jinhua (Zhejiang Province) -- area code (86-579)

Population is over 4 million (that's over 160,000 Utopians).

• People's Square
• Vegetable Market

KUNMING (Yunnan Province) -- area code (86-871)

Population is 4 million (that's about 160,000 Utopians).
• Men in Kunming message forum

  
  

• Lanse Didai (Blue Zone)
  2/F, just next to the Tong le Yuan sauna (same owner). No fancy cocktails, but not bad and crowded on weekends from 10-12pm.

• Top One disco
  Next to the Bolan Hotel on Baita St. There are several Top One discos in town. There are more gays at branch in Kundu. The hippest place for locals, with quite a lot of gay people.

Kunming Star Male Massage (0)151-1889-0336, (0)150-1893-4533 (English and Chinese), email. Gay-owned massage business. Handsome, friendly Chinese masseurs offering relaxing massage for men. Outcall only. Utopia Member Discount

• Disheng Fitness Club
  7/F Parkson Mall (above KFC). Many gays go here.

• Tong Le Yuan
  133 Huan Chen Nan Lu. Not very clean, but cruisy. Local crowd.

Lanzhou (Gansu Province) -- area code (86-931)

The population of Lanzhou district is 3.2 million (that's about 130,000 Utopians).

• Tomato Bar
  East Gate of Peoples Square (opposite the Industrial and Commercial Bank Bld), 6111-4411. Excellent bar with gay cabaret and friendly staff. Mainly local crowd of mixed ages.

Lhasa (Tibet)

The population of Lhasa is about 200,000 (that's about 8,000 Utopians).
• Men in Tibet message forum
• Travel in Tibet message forum

  
  

Comments from Utopians:

"I went to this gay bar in Lhasa which has no name yet and I have to say that is soooo great. Don't lose the chance to go there and meet those guys, especially the manager who speaks English. It's easy to get there. Take a taxi and go to Vick's Club. This is in Peking Rd after Potala Palace. When you get there, at your right hand, after the parking lot, you will see a big sign with a lot of colors. Follow this street and turn left at the next street. After 30m you will find a small place with some guys inside. Just go in. On weekends you will find about 30 people with a lot of energy. When you get inside everybody will stand up asking you to sit with them. The place is very warm and cute. It's worth a visit." -- vickon, Aug 1, 2009

"In Lhasa gay places open and close very quickly. The gay club called Lanse Tian Kong is now closed. There is a gay bar in a small alley behind the famous tourist club called VICS. Every taxi driver knows VICS, located in Beijing Rd about 5 minutes walking from the Potala Palace. In the VICS parking lot, take the small alley that goes behind the club. It's a small bar with no sign, open every day, Sun-Thu. Fri and Sat you can expect 50-60 people, weeknights around 10-15 people. It will close around midnight." -- m_picavet, May 30, 2009

• Park located at the back of the Potala Palace. Usually you can meet people after 9pm at the facilities there, including gay Tibetans.

Liaocheng (Shandong Province) -- area code (86-635)

• Blue Moon
  135-6352-0131. 60 meters south of Feng HuangTai park. Pleasant place. Staff are very friendly. Busy weekends 10:30pm till late.

• Feng Huang Tai
  A sort of mini-park. Busy around 8pm.

Lijiang (Yunnan Province) -- area code (86-8891)

Click here for Lijiang hotels and accommodations.

• Dadawa Bar
  Lijiang old city. Good music and coffee.

Lijiang Star Male Massage Appointments: 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

Liuzhou (Guangxi Province)

The population of Liuzhou is 1.5 million (that's about 60,000 Utopians).

• Small park
  To the left of the southern bridge across the Liu Jiang river. It is very active after dark with many, many Utopians on the lower levels (where they sing and cut hair during the day, but down a level or two).

Luoyang City (Henan Province)

The population of Luoyang is 6.5 million (that's about 260,000 Utopians).

• Ge Shi Hua Jin Bar
  intersection of Dingding Lu and Zhongzhou Zhonh Lu, just at the traffic light.

• Park at Shiji Guangchang, or Century Square Park, just opposite the 5-star Huayang Hotel.

Macau -- area code (853)

Europe's first settlement in Asia, a former Portuguese colony, pre-dates Hong Kong's colonization by a few hundred years. Cobbled alleys, baroque churches, historic graveyards, and Chinese temples have survived practically unaltered since their construction centuries ago. Modern Macau is one of Asia's cleanest cities, with world-class museums, architectural treasures and memorable restaurants and cafés waiting to be discovered.

Population is a half million (that's about 20,000 Utopians).

• Men in Macau message forum

  
  

• Russian Bar
  1/F New Century Hotel, Taipa (near Crown Hotel and Macau University), 6628-8577. Macau's first gay dance club. Sat night gay parties.

• Senado Square
  Especially after 7pm at night and all day Sun. Lots of Filipino guest workers looking to while away their leisure hours.

NANJING (Jiangsu Province) -- area code (86-25)

Nanjing is just two and a half hours northwest of Shanghai by bullet train and its population is over 5 million (there are about 200,000 Utopians here). The city is clean and tidy, with major avenues graced by canopies of parasol shade trees imported from France. Lots of traditional architecture remains, including the Xuyuan Garden and Zhanyuan pleasure gardens. Even contemporary housing projects incorporate the local white wall and black tile style with geometric roof finials. Together with its large lake, winding river moat, and nearby Purple Golden Mountain park, Nanjing is harmonized with its surroundings. A former imperial capital, the city is rich in history, including the sad fate of hundreds of thousands of its citizens who died during the brutal Japanese invasion of China.

If you visit in late Feb, early Mar, don't miss Plum Blossom Hill, where thousands of pink and white plum trees bloom. During the annual Spring Festival, incorporating Chinese New Year, the Confucian Temple shopping area (Fuzi Miao) is decked out with auspicious red lanterns, large illuminated folk sculptures made from silk, and traditional folk toy vendors. Take an evening boat ride from the pier to view the charming, illuminated waterways. Most of Nanjing's gay bars are also just a short walk away.

• Men in Nanjing message forum

  
  

• Nanjing Gay Hotline
  8360-3012. Mon-Thu from 7pm-10pm.

Click here for Nanjing hotels and accommodations.

• Red Bar (Hong Ba)
  Beijing East Rd (in back of the well known Yosemite restaurant), 133-2781-1472. Red and black Chinese interior decor with red and green laser squiggles. Booths surrounding central table seating. Busy on the weekend. Weekdays you can sing karaoke. Weekend "model shows" and other activities. No English spoken, but you'll be welcome. Younger crowd (some MBs) and even some lesbians occasionally. Open daily with live performances on weekends.
• Zhongtian Yu Le Gong
  Ping Jiang Fu Rd, 137-0147-0552. Nearby the Confucian Temple shopping area (Fuzi Miao). Live performances nightly.

Mr Strong Massage Appointments: (0) 137-9536-9578, email. Gay-managed 24-hour outcall massage by male therapists. Chinese, Thai and oil massage. They offer a number of massage styles and masseurs are young and strong. See their website for real masseurs who are available to give you quality service in your hotel or home. Utopia Member Discount

Nanjing Star Male Massage (0)151-1889-0336, (0)150-1893-4533 (English and Chinese), email. Gay-owned massage business. Handsome, friendly Chinese masseurs offering relaxing massage for men. Outcall only. Utopia Member Discount

• Gu Lou Park, just two blocks from Red Bar.
• Coming from Gu Lou Park, take Zhong Shan Bei Lu and turn right in the first street you see and go in the public facility. Sometimes it's empty, but sometimes it's busy.

  
  

• Nanjing Da Pai Dang (regional Chinese)
  2 Shi Zi Qiao, Hu Nan Rd, Gulou District, 8330-5777. Disney-style themed food court serving practically everything and everything edible. It's easy to point and order from hundreds of snacks and specialty dishes. Local artists perform live with Chinese opera or folk music on traditional instruments.

  
  

• Gay bath at 317 Shen Zhou Lu. The customers are a bit mature. All the young guys are MBs.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "The staff at the reception of the sauna mentioned above at 317 Shen Zhou Lu is really rude and unfriendly, even though I speak enough Chinese to make me understood. I found a better place: It's called Bibochi at 135 Shengzhou Lu, 025-5224-1848. The infrastructure is basic, but the staff and customers are really friendly." -- topinambur, Jul 16, 2009

Nanning (Guangxi Province) -- area code (86-771)

Population is over 3 million (that's more than 120,000 Utopians).

• Ge Di Xiu Xian Ba
  29 Gong He Lu (near Wallmart). Sat night.
• Ming Jiang Lang Ge
  191 Ming Xiu Lu (near You Ai Bei Lu), 314-0681. Every Sat night.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Only Love (Cun Ai Jiu Ba), cabaret, bar, and KTV has moved to a new location: Xinghu Lu, Nanhu Gong Yuan Da Meng, 159-7771-9919, 133-0771-2246, 280-0252. Go to the east end of Xinghu lu, go straight into the smaller road (follow the big KTV red neon sign), turn right and it is there. There are cabaret style shows even on weekdays from 10pm-midnight and it turns into a disco on Fri and Sat. The location is nice and convenient, next to the South Lake (Nanhu) park. Beware of MBs in this bar! " -- suehiro, Aug 17, 2009

• Chao Yang Garden
  An open public square right in the centre of the city. After evening falls you may find gays around the public facility at the edge of this square.
• Min Zu Square
  Small woods near the public facility. Just behind the bus station. After 9pm you can find gay people here, but after 10:30pm is the perfect time.

Ningbo (Zhejiang Province)

Population is over 6 million (that's more than 250,000 Utopians).

• Zhongshan Gongyuan
  Opposite the Moon Lake, coming from the railway station, this park gets busy in the evening (there is a round pillared building here trying to look ancient). Be discreet.

QINGDAO (Shandong Province) -- area code (86-137)

Population is 7 million (that's about 300,000 Utopians).

• Dragon Bar
  12 Gu Tian Rd (near Maikal Department Store), 137-9248-3550. Gay bar in the city center. Excellent music, light show and contemporary interior design. Daily shows at 11:30pm. Young crowd.
• Feeling (mixed)
  Xiang Gang Lu. Recommended by Yuan Lai bar staff for Sat nights. Huge mixed dance bar located just next to the Bauhinia Flower statue in Hong Kong Park (Xiang Gang Yuan) on Hong Kong St (Xiang Gang Lu) in the commercial part of town. There seem to be many PLU floating around, but being a mixed and popular bar meeting appropriate people may take a bit of work.
• Yang Yang Yan Yi Ba
  17 Chang Er Lu, 136-9532-9595. Karaoke and entertainment bar with funny comedic shows. Entrance is on the ground floor, with a big neon sign with the Chinese characters for Yang­Yang (easy to see). The bar resembles an old movie theater and can get quite lively. “洋洋演艺吧”青岛市场二路17号

Mr Strong Massage Appointments: (0) 137-9536-9578, email. Gay-managed 24-hour outcall massage by male therapists. Chinese, Thai and oil massage. They offer a number of massage styles and masseurs are young and strong. See their website for real masseurs who are available to give you quality service in your hotel or home. Utopia Member Discount

Qingdao 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

• Shui Xiang Yuan Xi Yu Zhong Xin
  Jia Shan Lu, map and directions. A small establishment for men with a dry sauna. Towel rub massage also available from good looking massuers.

Comments from Utopians:

"I been living and working here in Qingdao City, China and I wanted to share that there is a clean and 24-hour sauna for gay guys. You can stay there the whole night and rent a room for yourself and as well there are dark rooms where you find what and who you like. There is also young and good looking masseurs available (they are not for free). It is located in Taidong Area, near Changchun Rd and Chang Cheng Rd beside Decorator." -- allenjohnj, Sep 29, 2009

Quanzhou (Fujian Province) -- area code (86-595)

Pronounced "chwen-jo". The population is close to 7 million (that's about 300,000 Utopians).

• 789 Bar
  Next to the Dong Hu cinema in Dong Jie. Gay bar.

Comments from Utopians:

"Find the crusing area behind the Quanzhou Bus Station, near to Yiquan St. Between the back of the station and public facility, you will meet the guys under the big tree. They walk around as well. Just sit and wait to see what will happen. Nearly no English spoken. Friendly guys mostly, but very shy. They like to go to the facility with you. Also, behind the Chinese Overseas hotel on Baiyuan Rd you will find a nice square opposite the Confucius Temple. Just sit on the rocks under the trees and you will see it happen. Mixed crowd, young and old. Public facility is near. Friendly and curious people. Some young guys ask for money but don't speak English." -- Flamingo2009, Oct 10, 2009

Sanya (Hainan)

The population of Sanya is over half a million people (that's over 20,000 Utopians).

Mr Strong Massage Appointments: 136-8190-2538, email. Gay-managed 24-hour outcall massage by male therapists. Chinese, Thai and oil massage. They offer a number of massage styles and masseurs are young and strong. See their website for real masseurs who are available to give you quality service in your hotel or home. Utopia Member Discount

Sanya Star Male Massage (0)151-1889-0336, (0)150-1893-4533 (English and Chinese), email. Gay-owned massage business. Handsome, friendly Chinese masseurs offering relaxing massage for men. Outcall only. Utopia Member Discount

SHANGHAI

Click here for Shanghai listings.

SHENYANG (Liaoning Province) -- area code (86-24)

Population is nearing 7 million (that's about 300,000 Utopians).
• Men in Shenyang message forum

  
  

• Shenyang Ark Tongzhi Care Group
  This support center based its name on the story about Noah's Ark, with the goal of providing help and information to gay and lesbian citizens in this city of 7 million.

  
  

• Bar Place
  25 Caitajie, ShenYang-city, 024-8199, 024-3699. Gay Bar.

• Hong Fan (mixed)
  Heping District (not far from Heping Plaza).

• Ba Yi Park
  Famous cruising park in Heping District, more or less in city center. Supposed to be always jumping. Beware of MBs.
• Lu Xun Park
• Park along Nan canal.
• Wan Liu Tang Park
  A peaceful place. There are lots of trees, a lake, an "extraventricular natatorium" (Summer) and a rockery. It is beautiful.

SHENZHEN

Click here for Shenzhen listings.

Shijiazhuang

• 1069 Yan Yi Jiu Ba (1069 Performance Bar)
  Intersection of Jian She Bei Da Jie and Sheng Li Bei Da Jie, map and directions,0311-8881-0698 and 139-3315-0035. Just East of the Yun He Qiao Ke Yun Bus Station ticket sales office on 2/F (take the outside metal steps up to 2/F). Bus routes 2, 31, 37,41,7,101, & 201 stop nearby. A huge bar with the standard provincial drag queen shows (except many of these queens have muscles and some have tattoos!) and some live singing. Unlike most bars in China, this one has a very high ceiling, and large surface area making it much less smoky and more bright. Cheap drinks. As usual with bars outside the big cities, the focus here is groups of friends who come to watch the shows, but if you are alone you will likely be invited to join a group. Open nightly. 石家庄市建设北大街运河桥客运站售票大厅东顺二楼

• Disco City (mixed)
  Zhong Shan Lu. Some gays may be spotted dancing together and hanging out in the red room. Go a little early (around 10pm+) and be discreet.

• Wei Dian Zi Xiu Xian Xi Yu
  Shi Shen Li Bei Jie, map and directions, 0311-8676-3508, 131-0321-5285. Ask your cab driver to call the cell phone number for directions. Although the place is close to the main road, better if you can get the taxi to wait for you. Run down and beware of overcharging. Local crowd. Weekends are probably best.

SUZHOU (Jiangsu Province) -- area code (86-512)

Suzhou is home to China's best preserved ancient pleasure gardens with intriguing names like, "Garden for Coupling." It's just a two-hour drive from Shanghai, so its quite easy to visit this ancient silk-manufacturing center and stroll through its princely estates, now open to the public.

The population of Suzhou is close to 6 million (that's about a quarter million Utopians).

• Men in Suzhou message forum

  
  

• Deep Breath
  93 ShuYuanXiang Rd (400m west of the intersection of RenMin and ShiQuan Rds), 6717-1060. A bit outside of the normal pub area. Not as pro as in Shanghai, but a fun and friendly atmosphere with occasional shows. Mostly young crowd. Gets quite packed on weekends with dancing into the wee hours. The staff is from the old SengHX.

Mr Strong Massage 151-6242-4990, email. Gay-managed 24-hour outcall massage by male therapists. Chinese, Thai and oil massage. They offer a number of massage styles and masseurs are young and strong. See their website for real masseurs who are available to give you quality service in your hotel or home. Utopia Member Discount

Suzhou Star Male Massage (0)151-1889-0336, (0)150-1893-4533 (English and Chinese), email. Gay-owned massage business. Handsome, friendly Chinese masseurs offering relaxing massage for men. Outcall only. Utopia Member Discount

• Suzhou Spa
  123 Chang Xu Lu, Apartment 2104 (300m south of Gan Jiang Lu), 6509-0363. Basically a 3-bedroom apartment. They have a small bathroom where you can shower before and after. In and outcall male masseurs. 苏州市阊胥路123号建瑞广场B座1702室(小日晖桥西侧)

• Suzhou Park
  Gong Yuan Lu, 100 meters south off Gan Jiang Lu. Cruise area in the park is south of the small lake. Beware of hustlers. In winter it closes at 8pm, in summer at 10pm. Best times are Sat and Sun afternoons, 2pm onwards. Free local opera in the park as well!
• Xing Hai Swimming Complex
  West Su Chun Rd. Evenings from 7-9pm and weekends after 4pm. Be discreet.

• Hai Xing
  499 Zhu Hui Rd, 6519-5810. At the intersection of Renmin behind the Pizza Hut, about 1km east of Sheraton. Look for the blue vertical sign with red characters. Any late afternoon or early evening is okay. But Fri and Sat evenings 6-12pm are best. It is possible to stay overnight.

Tianjin (Tianjin Province)

Population is over 5 million (that's over 200,000 Utopians).
• Men in Tianjin message forum

  
  

Mr Strong Massage Appointments: (0) 137-9536-9578, email. Gay-managed 24-hour outcall massage by male therapists. Chinese, Thai and oil massage. They offer a number of massage styles and masseurs are young and strong. See their website for real masseurs who are available to give you quality service in your hotel or home. Utopia Member Discount

Tianjin Star Male Massage (0)151-1889-0336, (0)150-1893-4533 (English and Chinese), email. Gay-owned massage business. Handsome, friendly Chinese masseurs offering relaxing massage for men. Outcall only. Utopia Member Discount

Wenzhou (Zhejiang Province)

Population is approaching one million (that's just about 40,000 Utopians).

• Afflatus Bar (Ling Gan Yin Ba)
  209 Room #2 Jin Shan Zu Tuan Lu Cheng Rd (Si Cheng Rd opposite Construction Bank, Jin Shan Jing Fan Cheng), 131-8581-8268. Gay bar with karaoke located in a small pedestrian zone. Best if your taxi driver can call the bar so that someone may meet when you get dropped off. Busy Fri-Sun nights from 9pm.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Gay friendly bar at Jian Bing Lu, Monkey Bar. The manager is quite cute and very accomodating. They've got a 3-piece band. Enjoy while flirting around." -- vhick23, Jul 13, 2009

• Wenzhou Style Massage Gym Fashion Spa (Wenzhou Feng Qing) (mixed)
  23 Quan Fang Xiang Fu Qian St, Wenzhou City, 577-8922-1568, 8922-1868, 139-0665-8680. This is massage parlor with masseurs and masseuses.

• Zhongshan Gongyuan
  Southwest corner of this park is quite active during the day.

• Dynasty Hotel Sauna (mixed)
  Minghan Rd (near the Stadium). Some men are interested in others, especially in the sauna. Ask for a VIP card for cheaper entry price. Be discreet.

Wuhan (Hubei Province) -- area code (86-27)

Population is over 7 million (that's about 300,000 Utopians).
• Men in Wuhan message forum

  
  

• Dibao
  Louyu Rd, Wuchang (near the Wuhan Physical Exercise College), 134-3719-1944. Take bus number 702 or 596. Young gay crowd, mostly Chinese. Very friendly for foreigners.
• Mintiange
  Qianjin Wulu (Qianjin Five Rd, close to Jianghan Rd and Zhongshan Dadao--many buses go there, get off at Jiali Guangchang), Hankou. On the third floor, above Brother Bar. Crowd here is 30yo+.
• Romantic Life
  3-4 Jiangtan Park, Yangtze Riverside Esplanade, Hankou, 8278-9041. Go to the main entrance of the long esplanade by the ferry terminal. As you go down the steps, turn right onto a narrow garden pathway. There is a row of restaurants there and Romantic Life is near the end of the block. This is a friendly and popular gay bar on the Yangzi riverside. Dim lighting and nice decor. Busiest early on Fri and Sat. Young crowd. 浪漫一生 汉口江滩公园内3-4号

• Xunlimen, Hankou in the evening and night, near the bus stop. Bus 703 goes there. Be discreet.

• Han Lin Chun
  3/F 25 Hai Shou Jie, 133-8751-7097. Sauna, Shower, 2 large lounges (one with TV and bar counter), private rooms. Massage also available. Very inexpensive entry.

Wuxi (Jiangsu Province)

Wuxi is about one-and-a-half hours drive west of Shanghai. The population of Wuxi is about 5.5 million (that's over 200,000 Utopians).
• Men in Wuxi message forum

  
  

• Darling Bar
  3 Lou 268 Miao Guang (in the Nanchang Market complex), 013-093-089-807. Difficult to find, so best to ring first. This place is usually very quiet (often the MBs outnumber the customers). There may or may not be shows on the weekends. Pet peeve: staff expecting drinks to be bought for them.

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

Click here for Xiamen listings.

XIAN

Click here for Xian listings.

Yiwu City (Zhejiang Province)

Population is about 1 million (that's about 40,000 Utopians).

Mr Strong Massage Appointments: 150-0579-5815, email. Gay-managed 24-hour outcall massage by male therapists. Chinese, Thai and oil massage. They offer a number of massage styles and masseurs are young and strong. See their website for real masseurs who are available to give you quality service in your hotel or home. Utopia Member Discount

Yiwu 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

Yueyang (Hunan Province)

• Li Blind Massage
  Located in 5 mile in the city center of Yueyang, on Gongnong Lu Rd. A gay-friendly blind massage parlor with an older masseur. Chinese traditional massage. A small place but the service is the best so far in town.

• Dongfang Luoma (Oriental Rome) (mixed)
  At the Huabanqiao intersection. A mostly straight sauna, but worth a visit. Men walk about totally nude in the showers, jacuzzi, sauna and body scrub area. Overnight stay allowed in a common room and occasional shows.

Zhengzhou (Henan Province)

Population is over 4 million (that's more than 160,000 Utopians).

• Behind Remin Park, along the river, is quite active. To get there you can walk along Erqi Lu from the center turn left just before the river opposite the Friendship Hotel. You have to walk around a kiosk, where 08.00 to 20.00 is written on it, and then down a passage between a restaurant which is built across the river and you are there.

Zhuhai (Guangdon Province) -- area code (86-756)

Population is over a half million (that's about 20,000 Utopians).

• Blue Bar
  Shui Wan Lu No. 178, Zhuhai-Gongbei. This is a nice new gay karaoke bar. No entry fees.
• Xiangyue Café
  134-1147-4365. On Guihua Nan Lu a few meters north of the intersection with Changsheng Lu, Gongbei, near the Macau border. Gay bar with no entry charge. Some English spoken.

• F-Bar
  2012 Yingbin Rd, Gongbei, 887-2273, 130-0576-1622, email. Utopia Member Discount

  Mr Strong Massage Appointments: (0) 137-9536-9578, email. Gay-managed 24-hour outcall massage by male therapists. Chinese, Thai and oil massage. They offer a number of massage styles and masseurs are young and strong. See their website for real masseurs who are available to give you quality service in your hotel or home. Utopia Member Discount