Utopia has assembled the world's first guide to the G&L scene in 16 Asian countries including complete listings for the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Nepal, plus "best of" listings for select major cities in a dozen other countries. Listings include organizations, bars, discos, accommodations, spas, restaurants, and more. Enjoy savvy comments and recommendations from local Utopians and gay travelers. Click here to order the collector's First Edition

• Men in Nepal message forum
• Nepal Gay & Lesbian News
• Nepal Gay Scene Updates message forum
• Travel in Nepal message forum
• Additional links for South Asia GLBT information.
• Nepal is one of the most interesting countries in Asia, so be sure to visit it when traveling around Asia. Because there are so many mountains in Nepal, there are even ski resorts to be found where you can hit the slopes. There are many travel websites that will offer a last minute travel deals on trips to Nepal.

• Blue Diamond Weekly
  GPO Box 8975, EPC No. 5119, Kathmandu, Nepal, email. An LGBT zine open to all genres and all types of work related to LGBT issues: short stories, poetry, essays, how-to articles, book reviews, STD and HIV/AIDS materials. Works both in English and Nepali languages are accepted.

• AIDS/HIV organizations and information
• Blue Diamond Society (BDS)
  Shiv Bhakta Marg: 344, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, (977-1) 444-3350, 444-5147, email. Blue Diamond Society was founded in 2001 in an effort to address the needs of Nepal's GLBT sexual minorities including Meta, Dohori, Ta, Hijra, Singaru, Fulumulu, Kothi, Kotha, Strian, Maugia, Panthi and others. BDS offers community-based sexual health, HIV/AIDS, and advocacy services for local networks of sexual minorities. It provides a drop-in center (DIC), outreach work and clinical referrals for its constituents.

KATHMANDU -- area code (977-1)

Population is over 2 million (that's about 80,000 Utopians).

Comments from Utopians:

"There are no places exclusively for gays or lesbians in Nepal yet, but there are some nightclubs (Babylon, Dynasty, Jump, 2000, Fire Club, Oriental 24 hours Restaurant etc.) where cross-dressing men go and hang out, some of them are sex workers." -- March 8, 2004.

• Maya (mixed)
  Thamel, 441-0371. Cocktail bar frequented by gay people.
• Café Mitra
  Thamel (near Hotel Pisang/ Tara Guest House), (977-1) 425-9015, email.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Café Mitra is a cozy lounge bar which is quite popular with some expatriate gay guys of Kathmandu. Service is gay-friendly, prices are above average, interiors and quality definitely has the queer eye!" -- Bir Lama, Mar 20, 2004

• Babylon Discotheque (mixed)
  Sundhara, 424-8755.
• Club 2000 (mixed)
  Sundhara, 425-6779.
• Club Dynasty (mixed)
  Darbar Marg, 422-2686.

• Thamel (no specific corners or sub streets, just use your gaydar while walking around)
• Pashupati Nath Temple.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Pashupati Nath is a large Hindu temple in Kathmandu, across the Bagmati river. On the side of the temple, in the afternoons, some men are always there to meet other men, some of them are in men who in uniform who come there from the nearby barracks." -- March 8, 2004.

• Ratna Park. Very cruisy after 5pm everyday, but not everyone who goes to the Ratna Park is gay. Mostly poor to middle class men, including students.

  Warnings from Utopians:

  "At this time in/around Ratna Park, central part of Kathmandu, there are hustlers pretending to be gay men that are looking for gay visitors. They are between 20-35 years, smart looking, nice clothes. Once you agree to go with them they catch you saying they are from the police (some of them are or have connections with police) in hopes of blackmailing you. They try to take you towards police station and but they never take you inside the police station. They try to take your all the valuables including money, watch, and clothes. Don’t give in, tell him you are ready to go the police station." -- March 8, 2004.

  Comments from Utopians:

  Late afternoons there are a few guys hanging around Ratna Park which is at the end of Durbarg Mahr, south of the Royal Palace. This park closes at 6pm and afterwards there is a sort of pathway immediately behind the park where you will also see a few guys. Beyond that there is quite an extensive open area (playing fields and the like) which very occasionally has action in the dark; these days it tends to be very quiet. The facilities on the right hand side of the park (as you face south with your back towards the palace) can be interesting but very dirty. Also the facilities much further down the same road, almost at the very bottom by the end of the large open area and near the pedestrian bridge, are a possible contact point between 6pm and 9pm. Be careful of course... and at all costs avoid the road and surrounding area (after dark) that is the other side of the park/open area from the WCs I mentioned. Dangerous and lots of drug problems." -- Alex, London, May 25, 1999

• Fire and Ice (Italian)
  Thamel, 425-0210, 422-0143.
• Himalayan Java (café)
  Tridevi Marg, Thamel, 442-2712, 442-2519, email.
• Jatra Restaurant and Bar
  J. P. Rd, Thamel, 421-1010. Live music.
• Oriental Dynasty Restaurant
  Darbar Marg, 422-2515. Open 24-hours.
• Ying Yang (Thai)
  Thamel, 442-5510.