Gay China: travel guide to the Sleeping Giant!

While members of the queer community in Shanghai may act more reserved, it’s important to note that they represent the largest gay scene in all of China. Plus, they certainly come to life when considering LGBTQ events! In June, Shanghai Pride lights up the streets while Shanghai LGBTQ Tourism Week in October invites queer folks to cast a spotlight on the community. Then there’s the French Concession neighborhood, which welcomes locals and tourists alike. Some of the best gay bars in Shanghai to check out include Hunt, Asia Blue, and Moon Bar.

Gay Hong Kong should be considered a forever-evolving beast considering the absolute magnitude of the cityscape. This heavily populated area decriminalized homosexuality in 1991. Since then, the LGBTQ community has forged its unique neighborhoods. The most notable gay hangouts exist in the Central District entertainment zone on Hong Kong Island, but there is also the Causeway Bay District and the Tsim Sha Tsui District. Queer nightlife in HK is exceptionally diverse, and the same could easily be said of their events, including Pink Dot and Pride.

In Beijing, queer folks tend to believe that who they love is not entirely important regarding who they are as individuals. It is likely because of their reservations that Beijing has no dedicated neighborhood for the LGBTQ community. But that does not mean a lack of gay fun by any means! Destination is the most famous gay bar in the area. Other gay bars in Beijing to check out include Kai Club, Dada, and Heaven Beer Bar.

The entire city of Chengdu seems to be in a state of rapid expansion, especially when you consider the battle for LGBTQ rights. The area is known as the unofficial gay capital of China, likely because they embraced the first widely reported gay marriage in the country. They have also hosted a gay kissing competition on one of their most essential shopping streets, which stirred up plenty of controversies. Somebody, please help us sign up for next year!

Where do you think some of the most beautiful people in the world live? Would you have guessed Chongqing, China? Because I don’t think the area would have come to mind before we visited the first time, but it sure is the truth! The city with the largest population also happens to be the most gorgeous and the most gay. While there are no defined queer neighborhoods throughout Chongqing, the area is still known for having the highest number of LGBTQ bars and organizations.

You know those cities that seem to perfectly blend their history with their expansion into modernity? Guangzhou is perhaps one of the finest examples of this phenomenon, harboring some of China’s oldest temples while also highlighting impressive, contemporary buildings. The location is stunning and surprisingly gay, all things considered! The LGBTQ community does not necessarily have a set home within Guangzhou, but the scene is quickly growing. We suggest seeking out one of their gay dance parties for a night you will not soon forget.

The Forbidden City takes up approximately 720,000 square meters in the Imperial City of Beijing. Along with containing the fascinating Palace Museum, the space consists of 980 intricately designed buildings, an impressive moat, and numerous gates. What really pushes the Forbidden City into that must-visit threshold is the astonishing number of preserved ancient wooden structures that have deemed the location a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite touristy crowds, the trip is relatively peaceful and makes for the perfect afternoon excursion!

At the top of any bucket list will sit architectural marvels from around the globe. The Great Wall of China undoubtedly exists on the majority of those lists due to its 2000-year-long history and unbelievable length across Northern China. The Badaling section is the most famous by far, so it can get quite busy. But, if you’re hoping to find more intimacy and seclusion with can’t miss views, we personally adore the Juyongguan section. Either way, prepare yourself for a beautiful hike! You can easily visit the Great Wall on a day trip from Beijing.

We’ve all studied the elaborate means by which Egyptians honored their dead, but did you know similar practices existed in early China? The Terracotta Warriors are a form of funerary art buried with the very first Chinese Emperor to provide him with protection from beyond the grave. There are a total of three massive pits containing roughly 8000 soldiers and 670 horses. If you’re history buffs like us, just be sure to grab an English guide to help you through the site. Find out more in our gay guide to Xian.

Ever wanted to see a dragon in real life? Duh! Who hasn’t?! Aside from visiting reptilian sanctuaries, the closest we’ve come to witnessing the powerful majesty of a dragon was during our time in Guilin. The Longsheng Rice Terraces are known as the dragon’s backbone due to the large, arching hills of the mountain range and the intricately carved terraces that resemble scales. The hike is nothing short of unforgettable, especially when the fields are glistening with water, and the rice is ripe for harvest.

If you’re anything like us, you probably conduct in-depth research before visiting any kind of zoo, just to make sure the practices benefit the animals involved. Well, let us go ahead and give you our guarantee that the Chengdu Panda Research Base is completely legit! Unlike other animal caretakers, the folks at the panda sanctuary focus on educating their guests so that everyone will walk away with a passion for the conservation of endangered species. We would revisit these cute, fluffy bears in a heartbeat!

Depending on where you stay in China, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly surrounded by the madness of the concrete jungle. It’s essential to have time away from that hustle and bustle. By far, the best way to encounter the natural world of China, in our personal opinions, is by traveling across the Karst Peaks of Yangshuo. Hitch a ride on a bike or go hiking into the bliss of limestone mountains, rushing rivers, and quiet dirt roads. It is pure heaven!

He Travel are a fantastic gay tour company and they are offering this lovely cultural tour of China for gay travelers who really want to get to grips with China's culture. It starts in Beijing – including visits to the Great Wall, cruising the Three Gorges of the Yangtze and going to Xian to see the Terracotta Army – before finishing up in bustling Shanghai. This tour is an excellent way to see some of the main highlights of this fascinating country, all in the company of other gay travelers.

For those with an adventurous streak, He Travel also runs an adventure tour of China filled with hiking, cycling and feeding black snub-nosed monkeys! Most of this tour takes place among the picturesque mountains of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, where you can hike through the famous 10,000-foot-deep Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon! There'll also be time to relax though, as you enjoy sunsets over monasteries and explore tiny villages.

Not only is Shanghai Pride loads of fun with its broad array of parties, forums, and art showcases, but it also serves as a major milestone for Chinese members of the LGBTQ community. In 2009, Shanghai Pride made waves as the first mass queer event in all of China. What once started as a modest community event has now turned into a joyful celebration of diversity attended by thousands. Shanghai Pride continues to stand as the most significant acknowledgement of the community throughout China.

Pink Dot is the largest annual LGBTQ event to take place in Hong Kong, which already sets it apart as a must-attend occasion. But when you actually feast your eyes upon the carnival, you will undoubtedly fall in love with the entire spectacle! In our opinion, what really makes Pink Dot such a valuable experience are the Pink Talks that address LGBTQ-specific problems within HK and the attendance of the Rainbow Church to bless gay couples. Wholesome, educational, and fun! What more could you ask for?

The Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film festival began in 1989, making it the oldest LGBTQ film festival in Asia. Those who spearhead the festival approach their audience with three goals in mind: 1) to showcase LGBTQ films from around the world that discuss a vast number of topics, 2) to promote equal opportunities for queer people working in the arts, and 3) to put an end to discrimination within China. We would call the event a major success in every regard!

In China, screening LGBTQ films is a complicated process due to censorship laws, but the volunteers of the Beijing Queer Film Festival fight to make it work! Since they cannot present gay-themed movies, they instead focus on providing a platform for independent queer creators from Asian backgrounds. The BJQFF is the only community-based, non-governmental film festival in China that highlights the work of LGBTQ filmmakers. If you’re in Beijing at the time of the festival, please consider showing support for these incredible organizers!

Above being a fun event that brings gay people together, Hong Kong Pride has made great strides in the uphill battle of garnering support for the LGBTQ movement by encouraging more people to step out of the closet. When HK Pride began back in 2008, only 1000 queer folks took to the streets to march for their rights. Today, upwards of 12,000 people are slated to attend the brilliantly themed function in the coming years. We love to see it!

Do you know why they call it dim sum? Because when you eat these tasty foods, you’ll have everything you want and then some! Dim sum consists of any small dish from dumplings to cakes, and it can be served for nearly every meal. People in Hong Kong appreciate dim sum unlike citizens from any other destination in China, so it is definitely a must-try while visiting. Just make sure you take your meal with a cup of tea – it’s essential!

If you find yourself staying in China through the winter, warm yourself up by enjoying the best soup imaginable: hot pot! Well… we call it a soup, but honestly, hot pot is even better. The delicious broth acts as the means of cooking a variety of ingredients, including meats and veggies. Over time, the broth takes on the flavors of those add-ins, creating a uniquely flavorful experience. We especially recommend the Beijing specialty of mutton hot pot. It’s to die for!

You’re missing out if you haven’t tried authentic jiaozi! And what exactly is jiaozi? It’s a dumpling! Whether you eat these savory delicacies boiled, steamed, or pan-fried, you won’t be able to deny the allure of their price and convenience. Nor could you possibly resist the talent that goes into crafting them. The wrapper must be extremely thin, while the scrumptious filling needs to be sealed by a particular number of folds. Never before has art tasted so delicious! 

Surely, most everyone has heard of kung pao chicken. Perhaps you’ve even tried it at your local Chinese restaurant. But trust us when we say that whatever dish you have eaten could not possibly live up to the punch packed by the classic Sichuan spice found in China! Sichuan food is our absolute favorite due to its robust seasoning and intense heat, but kung pao chicken stands high above the rest thanks to its complementary textures and flavors.

If you all like dumplings, just wait till you try xiaolongbao! These delectable, nearly bite-sized treats are called soup dumplings for a reason. Unlike a traditional Chinese dumpling, xiaolongbao is filled with a soup broth made into a firm gelatin form. Once heated, that gelatin turns back into a silky, smooth, divine tasting broth that pairs perfectly with the added meats and veggies. Always handle these delicate little darlings with care, and be sure not to burn your tongue!