BEIJING -- area code (86-10)

Kelvin's Studio Apartments Central Beijing, Utopia Map, 130-5133-6528, FAX 6703-7797, email. Absolute privacy in a great location near shopping, the subway, and a short cab ride from everything. Located right behind the New World Shopping Center in a secure, gated community. Absolutely no frills (buy your own toilet paper and soap at the nearby 7/11). Low cost budget accommodation for independent travelers. Studio rooms have queen or twin beds, kitchenette, hot water pot, small private bath with hot shower. Free broadband Wi-Fi. Fridge, TV, water heater, electric cooker, sheets and linen, and aircon. English speaking landlord. Personal tour guide with car may also be arranged for Beijing sightseeing. Your local friends can easily rendezvous with you at the Starbucks on the sidewalk in front. Close to Chongwenmen subway station, one subway stop from Tiananmen Square/Forbidden City and Beijing Railway Station. Utopia Member Discount

Comments from Utopians:

"Simple, clean and a great place to stay during my visit. It was conveniently located and very quiet for a good night sleep. Loved it and would recommend it to anyone who wants simple, inexpensive accommodation in Beijing." -- prgwm34, Sep 5, 2009

GUANGZHOU (Guangdong Province)
-- area code (86-20)

• Guangdong Victory Hotel
  53 Shamian Rd, 8121-6688, FAX 8121-6062. Perfect location on beautiful Shamian historical island with easy access to/from the city by taxi. The hotel has both a main branch, with beautiful executive rooms with safe and free Internet, and a nearby annex inside a heritage building near the park. Breakfast is US$6 and has a very good selection of foreign and Chinese foods to choose from. Staff are impressive: security writes down the license plate of every taxi that drops you off or picks you up; bellboys speak English and are extremely helpful, as are the desk staff. 7-11 just around the corner to stock up your mini-fridge. No problem for same sex couples if you book a double room.
• Sunshine Men's Club
  (See Guangzhou Sauna listings) is in a hotel for business travelers. Clean, with modern bathrooms and not expensive. Foreigners must bring a passport to check in, as with any other hotel. No problem with guests.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Holiday Inn Triumphal is a nice place at Cong Hua for all lovers who want to enjoy moments together. All-in-one place with sauna, massage, buffet and bar." -- vhick23, Aug 1, 2010

  "The Sunshine Men's Club sauna (see Guangzhou Sauna listings) is in a hotel for business travelers. I recently stayed at the hotel after a night on the town and found it to be clean with a good modern bathroom and not expensive. All foreigners must bring a passport to check in, as with any other hotel. They seem to turn a blind eye to you bringing a Chinese friend in. Chung Mei Li sauna no longer allows foreigners to stay overnight. The owner expained to me that the Guangzhou police allow the sauna to operate only under tight restrictions. These include not allowing foreigners to stay there. It seems China has this idea that the only suitable accomodation for foreigners is a 3, 4, or 5-star Hotel!" -- JayCool, Jan 25, 2008

  "I stayed last year, during the Canton Fair, in an elegant 108sqm private residence with two bedrooms, Net, TV, phone, safe, maid, security and near the subway. On one of the most elegant streets in Guangzhou -- Tian He Bei Lu. Near many restaurants at all prices levels and shopping areas. Cheaper than a 5-star hotel. Write to myread@yahoo.com for more details or call 134-3413-6700." -- guangzhouman, Sep 8, 2007

  "There is a budget hotel called Net Hotel located on Zhanqian Lu, facing the Railway Station, directly above the Liuhua Police Station. Every room has a computer set up with free 24-hour Internet access and TV. Y$80. on 6/F with shared bathroom, Y$100 on 5/F with attached bathroom. You go in through a narrow alley beside a Hunan cuisine restaurant and go up to the top floor. If interested, you can call the housekeeper at 3123-6026 for details. This is not exactly good standard, but it's economical, plus you can save on Net access. They accept foreigners." -- Fip, Jul 26, 2006-->

Harbin / Haerbin (Heilongjiang Province) -- area code (86-451)

• Tie Hai Hotel (Iron Sea Hotel)
  117 Hai Cheng Jie (near the train station), Nan Gang Qu, 366-6647. Known as an inexpensive place that is popular with tongzhi (gays). 铁海旅馆 : 南岗区海城街117号

HONG KONG -- area code (852)

• Gay Home Stay HK/Akistan Home Stay
  Kowloon City Rd, To Kwa Wan, 852-5100-6877, email. The only gay home stay apartment in Hong Kong, a member of G Sky Magazine. The apartments are situated in the heart of Kowloon in the To Kwa Wan district, conveniently across from the MTR Hung Hom Station to whisk you off to Mongkok, Yau Ma Tei, Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui. It only takes 20 minutes to Central, Wanchai and Causeway Bay. There are 24 hours mini buses and local buses to/from To Kwa Wan to Kowloon, Hong Kong and the New Territories. Local transportation is fast and a easy when the MTR closes at midnight. Utopia Member Discount

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Gay Home Stay HK/Akistan Home Stay caters specifically to gay men." -- Fip, Jun 9, 2010

Lijiang (Yunnan Province) -- area code (86-8891)

• Home 古城第一家
  30 Guangbixiang, Guangyijie, 888-518-6023, FAX 888-512-0322, email. A lesbian-owned and managed high-end boutique hotel in the old town of Lijiang. Very clean, peaceful and comfortable, with free Internet access, bar/entertainment room and a beautiful courtyard to sit around in. A G&L retreat for fellow comrades around the world. Utopia Member Discount 丽江古城光义街光碧巷30

NANJING (Jiangsu Province) -- area code (86-25)

• Zhongshan Hotel
  200 Zhongshan Rd, 8336-1888. Good central downtown location from which all attractions are a short taxi ride away. Executive rooms are huge with free Internet, king size bed, and living room set. No smoking rooms available. Clean and plush. Bathroom is large with separate shower and tub. Breakfast is fairly good, but mostly Asian flavors (there's a McDonald's next door if you really have to). Room safe is too small, but will hold most valuables. No problem for same-sex couples if you book a double room.

SHANGHAI -- area code (86-21)

• Astor House (Pujiang Hotel)
  15 Huangpu Rd, Utopia Map, 6324-6388. Shanghai's classic heritage hotel. Established in 1846 during the Qing Dynasty. Now retrofitted with modern rooms that maintain the heritage ambiance. Great location just minutes walk from The Bund and opposite the Russian Embassy. Easy to get taxis to and from. Large room safe for laptops and free Internet in executive rooms. Breakfast is OK, but the overlit dining room loops the same song by the Chinese Kenny G over and over. If you can, get a peek at their famous Peacock Ballroom and imagine the swinging Shanghai parties that took place there once upon a time. No problem for same-sex couples if you book a double room.
• Metropole Hotel
  The Bund, Utopia Map. One of Shanghai's classic old art deco buildings, although the interior has been modernized without much thought to period decor. Fantastic location just two blocks from the river. Low price for a mid-range hotel in this city. Hotel policy states no visitors in the rooms after 11pm.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Stayed in Shanghai Sports Hotel during the Expo. Reasonable rates, close to the subway and a short hop to the Gaybourhood. No problem with guests if you are discreet. The lobby restaurant was amazingly good! The hotel has a number of sports facilities attached including pool with swim lanes, baskerball court, etc. Room safe and free Wi-Fi." -- Azmi, Aug 1, 2010

  "If Y$300 is in your budget, you can book 7 Days Inn. There are many branches throughout the city and 400 branches all over China. If you sign up as a member, you enjoy discounts. You may reserve by phone without deposit. The really cheap hotels (below Y$100) in Shanghai do not accept foreigners. That's government policy." -- Fip, May 15, 2010

  "I stayed at a nice place called JinJiang Inn in the heart of Shanghai. Very clean and the staff were excellent." -- kanakana, Mar 26, 2010

XIAMEN (Fujian Province) -- area code (86-592)

• Lujiang Harbourview Hotel
  54 Lujiang Rd, 202-2922. Old heritage hotel, with contemporary modern room decor, perfectly located at the start of the Zhongshan Road shopping street and opposite the ferry to Gulang Yu historical heritage island. Rooms have free Internet and ocean view rooms have balconies. In-room safe is small, but will hold most valuables. Breakfast buffet is good. No problem for same-sex couples if you book a double room. Great value and reasonable rates.