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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
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Taiwan is one of Asia's most progressive countries as far as LGBT rights are concerned, and certainly the most liberal of the Chinese diaspora. Not only does the government of Taipei print up its own free guide to the gay community, but school children are taught about homosexuality and tolerance for sexual minorities. Taiwan's first Gay Pride Festival was held on Sunday, June 29, 1997 at 2-28 Memorial Park (New Park) in Taipei (a favorite cruise spot at night). Over 30 gay organizations chose to celebrate in the sunlight at this location of Pai Hsien-Yung's famous gay novel, Crystal Boys.
Taiwanese, especially in Taipei, are adept at cruising on the Internet and many prefer making a quick and easy online rendezvous anonymously rather than the expense and time required to hang around a bar or sauna. Even so, the quality and selection of gay venues has increased noticeably along with the new openness of gays and lesbians in society. Young Taiwanese are opening trendy and stylish shops and meeting places. Wednesdays are considered "little weekends" and clubs may be a bit busier on that night than other weekdays.
There are lots of options these days for gay clubs, but many Taiwanese, especially the older generation, continue to socialize in small karaoke bars. When you order your first drink at a Taiwanese-style bar you are usually served two at the same time, plus a plate of snacks. Beer is often served warm with ice. Don't be surprised if the waiter or captain pours himself a glass and sits down with you. Drinking alone would be inhospitable. If you don't speak Chinese, everybody in the place will understand you are a foreigner and the staff will consider who should best communicate with you and who to introduce you to. They may even call up one of their friends who speaks English to come to the club and translate. This may take some time, so be patient. Also, if someone likes you they may ask a friend to talk to you first and then introduce you to their group. It may take hours to actually find out who wanted to meet you in the first place. Usually, verbal contacts are preceded by raised glass toasts from across the pub.
Because English is not commonly spoken or used on signs outside Taipei, visitors may have difficulty locating the clubs and spas scattered around the smaller cities. Use business cards to get around. Usually, one gay establishment will carry cards of others, or the staff may draw you a map of local spots. Ask your hotel concierge to call the numbers below and then write directions in Chinese for a taxi driver.
 Lesbian listings
- Men in Taiwan message forum
- Taiwan Gay & Lesbian News
- Taiwan Gay Scene Updates message forum
- Travel in Taiwan message forum
- Additional links for Taiwan GLBT information.
- Goodguy
G&L Publishing Corporation, Suite 9, 11/F #20 Minchiuan West Rd, 2541-1213, email. New Taiwanese gay magazine displaying the full Monty.
- Tung Yen Wu Chi (Gay Speak Out)
PO Box 112-637, Taipei, FAX 367-3205. Quarterly gay magazine launched on Jan. 15, 1996.
Taiwan Listings by City:Other cities and provinces are listed below...
Chia-Yi -- area code (886-5)
- Miracle
4/F 424 Min Chiuan Rd (between Min Sheng St and Jung Yi St, 100m from Zhong Zheng Park), 216-7021. Gay karaoke pub with friendly owner who speaks a bit of English. The clientele is mixed (ages, genders). Open daily from 9pm onwards.
- Zhong Zheng Park
Between Guo-hua St, Ming-quan Rd , Zhong-yi St, and Bei-rong St. From the train station, walk along Zhong-shan Rd, turn left at Guo-hua St, and keep going till you see the entrance (about 10 minutes).
Comments from Utopians:
"A new gay sauna opened recently. It is very small and very clean, but it only operates on weekends until midnight. Despite its size, it is worth checking out if you're in town on the weekend. The staff are very welcoming and friendly, however they don't speak English. They have a dry sauna and a steam room as well as showers and exercise equipment. They have two computers for patrons to use, and lots of books and magazines (in Chinese). There are two a rest areas with beds, two TV rooms (usually showing variety shows and talent contests), and one private room with a door. They supply toothpaste, toothbrush, and unlimited small towels. There is also a condom in each locker. They are open Fri from 5pm-midnight, as well as Sat and Sun from noon-midnight. Although they are fairly busy on Fri nights, they are often busiest on Sat afternoons. Most of the patrons seem to be a little shy, but that could just be because it is the first and only gay sauna in Chiayi City! Unfortunately for travelers, it is not within walking distance from the train station, so you'll need a taxi. It is on the same road as the Far East and the Shinguang Mitsukoshi department stores.
The address is B1 640 Chui-Yang Rd, in the basement, 222-3155. The cost is NT$150." -- Birdie, Sep 29, 2009
Chang-Hua -- area code (886-4)
Population is 225,000 (that's about 9,000 Utopians).
- Tureman
2/F 17 Kong-men Rd, 724 -3131. Walk along Guang-fu Rd from train station for about 300 meters, make a right turn at Zhong-shan Rd, keep going and make another right turn at Kong-men Rd at the Cultural Center.
- Tian Qin Sauna
3/F 26-12 Lane 324 Zhong-shan 2nd Rd, 722-4618. 300 meters away from train station.
Hsin-Chu -- area code (886-3)
Population is about 400,000 (that's about 16,000 Utopians).
- Circular intersection at Easter Gate
From train station, go west along Zhong-zheng Rd about 100 meters.
Hualien -- area code (886-3)
Population is about 110,000 (that's about 5,000 Utopians).
- Lover's Karaoke
211 Guo-Sheng 1st Rd, 833-9097. Call to confirm the address and ask for directions. A very basic karaoke bar, nothing trendy or flashy. From outsite it doesn't look like a gay venue. Normally open after 10pm and going on till very late. Although the place is very friendly, and people are good company, the owner and most of the clients do not speak English, so it is better to go with someone local or someone who understands Chinese.
- Zhong Shan Park
Guo-lian 1 Rd. Walking distance from the train station. Some native Taiwanese guys. Especially cruisy on the weekends.
Comments from Utopians:
"Zhong Shan Park is still spot on!" -- MrGary, Dec 12, 2009
Comments from Utopians:
"Finally! Somewhere for us to go when we're on vacation in Hualien! There is a small gay sauna operating right near the Train Station. It is pretty busy on Sat and Sun, as well as on Wed and Fri nights. It is located at 99 Guo Xing 1 St, 834-5381. As with many places in Taiwan, the spelling of street name varies. You may see it listed as Guo-Shing 1 or Guo-Sing 1. If you can recognize Chinese characters, it is the same GUO as country, and the same XING as Gao Xing (happy). It is also a little tricky to find...blink and you'll miss it! When you come out of the station, you will see a large grassy area in front of you that stretches all the way down to the big main street (Guo Lian 1). Off to the left you will see a small park. If you walk towards the park, you will see Guo Shing 1 street. It borders the park at the end nearest the station. The main street (Guo Lian 1) borders the other end.
From the train station, turn left onto Guo Shing 1 St and walk past the park. The sauna is a little more than a block and a half down this street on your left hand side. It is very discreet so you'll need to watch out for the building numbers! They have showers, a small steam room, TV room, lots of places to hang out and chat, and a few private rooms. They supply razors, toothbrush and toothpaste as well as towels and condoms. They also have two computers for patrons to use. The patrons vary in size, shape, age and attitude, but most seem pretty outgoing and daring! The cost is NT$250. Don't expect any English, so be prepared to mime your way in and out of trouble. Good luck. Have Fun!" -- Birdie, Sep 29, 2009
KAOHSIUNG -- area code (886-7)
KEELUNG -- area code (886-2)
Population is over 400,000 (that's 16,000 Utopians).
- Fishing-man Sauna
2-56 Shen-ao-ken Rd, 2468-0946. Take a bus to Rui-fang, Beautiful World stop, then a 2-minute walk. Look for a blue sign board. Open 24 hours.
TAICHUNG -- area code (886-4)
TAINAN -- area code (886-6)
TAIPEI -- area code (886-2)
Taitung -- area code (886-8)
Population is about 110,000 (that's close to 5,000 Utopians).
- G-night
279 Luo-yang St , 935-9255.
- Beach Park
At the end of Da-tong Rd, turn right and go to the end.
Taoyuan City -- area code (886-3)
Population is over 360,000 (that's about 15,000 Utopians).
- The Base
3/F, 197 Min-chuan Rd, 331-7225. Near Lu-zhu big temple bus stop.
- Boss Men's Club
2/F, No.224, Chung Cheng Rd, 337-1870, 337-2196
- Chuan Ken
2/F, No. 4, Min-zhu Rd, 335-4148, 334-1010.
- Foxy
No. 33 Nan Hua St, 339-5798. Gay and lesbian night on Fri.
- Funky
B/1, 197 Min-chuan Rd, 338-3478.
- Zhong Zheng Park
Behind the Art Museum and parking lot, walking distance from train station along Yuan-hua Rd.
- Tai Shi Sauna
No. 137 Chung Hua Rd (at Nan Hua St), 335-5112,3.
- Xin Tao-yuan
3/F 5th Lane 182 Min-zhu Rd, 335-3175,7. Fifteen minutes walk from the train station. Open 24 hours.
Zhongli City -- area code (886-3)
Population is over 360,000 (that's about 15,000 Utopians).
- 2009 Inn
No. 3, Lane 76, Sec 1, Zhongyang W. Rd, 422-0091, email. Private pub for gay friends where they can release their true feelings.  Utopia Member Discount
- Railway Station facilities. Also: on the weekends hundreds of Thai people (many of them very handsome and hunky!) spend hours drinking beer in an area opposite the Station and they all use the free-of-charge facilities.
- Not far from the Railway Station, going right, there are two Bus Stations where people also meet in the facilities.
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