Beijing Gay Travel Guide

Don’t be fooled by the long line of straight clubs and bars around the Chaoyang District. Inside Destination is a fabulous queer space that welcomes all. Part of the Destination Club, which is located on the higher-level floors, Destination Bar is a laid-back space for drinks and chats. We loved the choices of cocktails – with wait staff being able to recommend a few delicious drinks. One of us got a little bit too thirsty with the drinks and tried to join in on the exotic dancing routine towards the end of the evening. I won’t say who…*cough* Seby!

It may be small, but Kai Club is not worth missing. We went there every evening to get our gay night started before heading out to Destination. The fact it’s located in a basement gives it a super private, secret meeting feel. Seb and I as super-spies?? We’d always get talking to fellow tourists, where we’d share embarrassing travel stories, and location recommendations. They play cheesy pop classics that we could get warmed up to before the rest of the evening. Make sure to bring cash with you as the gay bar doesn’t accept cards.

What was once the famous “Heaven Supermarket” has now become “Heaven Beer Bar.” Our only gripe with this gay friendly bar was how hard it was to find! We almost gave up before spotting it between two giant nightclubs. As the name suggests, it is a great place to go for beer lovers. And while we are usually more partial to a cocktail, we do like the occasional beer (don’t be shocked, we can be vers). The massive glass wall behind the bar is where you’ll spot 16 giant fridges, stocked to the brim with varieties of beer. Plus, if you are feeling peckish, they have some food items and snacks.

While it no longer has a specific “gay night”, LGBTQ people and gay-friendly allies tend to frequent Mesh every evening. It seems the gays have claimed the space as their own… although it tends to be the younger crowd and working professionals. The bar has an extensive wine list, plenty of cocktails, and beer. When we went, it was on a summer evening, so the owners opened the terrace space. We got to enjoy our drinks in the cool evening breeze, before calling it a night and heading out to a bigger venue.

Dada Bar is queer-friendly, with regular DJ sets, art and cultural events, and movie screenings. We were unsure of what we were going to find, but pleasantly surprised by the playlist of pop-heavy dance tunes. During the day, they have a café, which is a fabulous spot to sit in and grab a coffee. Running around Beijing can be exhausting at the best of times, so it’s great to have a space to chill where we knew it would be gay-friendly.

With its vibrant neon lighting, pulsing house music, and hidden alcoves for some *ahem* alone time, Destination Club on its dance music nights feels like a fever dream come to life. On weekends, it becomes packed with people. We didn’t mind this though, as the energy was electric, with tons of tourists and locals alike coming together in total liberation. It’s also more than just a gay club – as the venue offers free HIV testing, community support, and much more.

We went to Alfa on a whim. And we were delighted by what we found. While it is a bit smaller than Destination, the energy is just as palpable. It’s fusion of feel-good pop and rock classics had us hooked – really, any place that plays 80s bangers has our hearts. Friday nights are when the LGBTQ crowd visit, with a good mix of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds. People released all their inhibitions on the dancefloor, just getting lost in the music. We spent a bit of time on the patio as well, sipping on cocktails and chatting with fellow tourists.

A meal fit for a King… or perhaps, two queens??? We stumbled upon this gem after touring the Yonghe Temple, both tired and famished. Walking inside we were bowled over by the sight of the glass roof ceiling, which made it feel as if were dining beneath the Heavens. Add in the exquisite, Taiwanese inspired menu, and we truly got a taste of paradise. There are plenty of veggie options too – the rice with assorted mushrooms and peach resin is particularly noteworthy.

We kept hearing from everyone we met to try out The View. The way they kept referring to it made it sound like some top-secret location, so we felt a bit intimidated. Yet, we went along and found it to be one of the most marvelous restaurants we’ve ever tried. It’s on the 39^th floor of a skyscraper, meaning we got to enjoy panoramic views of the Beijing skyline at sunset – hence the name. The menu is a mix of European and Asian dishes, the best of both worlds. But what we were most excited by was the never-ending list of cocktails – could this place be any more perfect? 

For a true taste of China, you can’t go wrong with Beijing DaDong Roast Duck. It’s most known for its “unconventional” methods of cooking. When we asked what this was, the waiter explained that their chefs use a spherical wood-fired oven as opposed to the square oven, which is more common. Whatever it is, it's working – as the Peking duck we had was worth quaking over. We can see why so many people laud this restaurant as one of the best in the city. 

This is the largest city square in the world – and arguably the most famous as well. Just by being there, you can feel the historical significance. Back in 1989, protests occurred there that ended with a military crackdown. It’s sadly become known as the June Fourth Massαcɾe. Today, it’s a well-known tourist hotspot. When we went, the place was thriving with locals and tourists alike. We even spotted a few kite fliers, taking advantage of the breezy day. If you're short on time then you can do a combined tour of Tiananmen Square as well as the Summer Palace, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven!

What stretches 6700 km, can be seen from Space, and took over 200 years to build? Nope, it wasn’t our dazzling egos! It was the world-famous Great Wall of China. Anyone coming to Beijing probably has this on their to-do list to begin with. Just note: it’s about 60km from the main city and opens from 7:30am. The best way to experience it is as a day trip from Beijing. You obviously won’t be able to cross the entire thing, but you will get to take photos, marvel at the sights, and forever brag to your friends that you walked across the Great Wall. 

Calling something The Forbidden City has the same effect as putting ‘DON’T PUSH’ on a big red button. It makes you want to do it. Luckily, it’s not forbidden anymore. It used to be restricted to imperial families only back in the day, refusing entry to “common folk.” It’s worth a visit to see the largest imperial palace complex in the world. We spent a morning agape at the massive towers, decorative pavilions, and beautiful belvederes. 

When we say get lost in the Hutongs, we literally mean, we got lost in the Hutongs. Or I did – and Seby had to come find me. Apart from that, we enjoyed devoting an entire afternoon to exploring the winding alleyways of Beijing. We popped in and out of shops, listened to locals chattering away with one another in their native tongue, and spotted ancient ruins.

The Temple of Heaven is a complex of religious buildings in south Beijing. There are three main parts to visit, the first being the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a three-storey, circular building in the heart of the complex – completely made of wood. Secondly is the Imperial Vault of Heaven, a small building enclosed within a stone wall. Lastly, is the Circular Mound Altar, where the Emperor prays for good weather.

Beijing's Summer Palace is full of lakes, gardens, and palace buildings – we recommend setting aside a good 2-3 hours to fully appreciate the stunning grounds. When we visited, we took part in an English-speaking tour to get a real sense of its history and cultural significance. If you do get time, try and get a ticket for the boat ride across Kunming Lake as well. It allows for plenty of fabulous photo ops.