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 (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 131-7503-5300, 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

• Over Seas Chinese Hotel

  Comments from Utopians:

  "There is a park that is frequented by gays, day and night. Go to the intersection of Mugangshan Lu and WenYi lu. Walk along the right side of Mugangshan Lu - away from the city - for 400m. You'll come to a pedestrian crossing on your left and a park on your right. Enter the park. During the day you'll see families and old people enjoying the outdoors. On the benches you'll see straight couples making out, and in the gardens you might see guys having it off. Cruising goes on 24/7, but after 9pm, the lights are turned off and the action begins. You'll still see the occasional straight couple on the benches, but you'll see the guys being more adventurous, out in the open. The main gate is locked at about 10pm, but the northern gate was open when I left at about midnight. Don't worry about getting locked in. You won't." -- AussieGuy, Aug 31, 2008

• 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. Walking distance from the Hyatt and Shangri-La and plenty other hotels by the lake. 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 80m or so, until you come to a gate. Turn right and walk about 50m past the discos on both your right and left, and under the sign that reads California Bar. At No. 2 Bao Chu Lu (a complex of straight disco clubs) there is a big sign in Chinese for Han Lin Cunwith an arrow pointing to the entrance downstairs, opposite the G Plus club. Walk down the steps and through the glass doors. It has dozens of daybeds put together in a square configuration and also a dark room. There are about five showers in the wet area and a blacklight sauna. Zhejiangnese massuers (not pushy) are also available. Open 24/7.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Han Ling Chun now has an 'English Corner Sauna' on Sun afternoons, beginning around 2pm. English Corner is a Chinese tradition. People gather informally at a venue to practice speaking English. Here, young gays gather to practice English in the sauna. Young guys will often keep native English speakers occupied during the practice (they understand the trade-off). In the hot steam room it can be quite a pleasurable way to help others improve their English." -- AussieGuy, Jul 14, 2008

• 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.