BEIJING -- area code (86-10)

• Gong Ti Hotel
  Inside the Worker's Stadium, Chao Yang Men Wai, 6501-6655, FAX 6501-2368. This 2-star hotel is built into the huge stadium! Clean, cheap and novel accommodation within walking distance of On Off Bar. No-frills and staff speak minimal English, but you get a huge thermos of hot water for tea each day. Not gay, so be discreet. Grounds surrounding the stadium are a constant parade of joggers and fitness enthusiasts, but don't expect any cruising activity. Your credit cards may or may not work in their machine.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Great location! My room in the main building was large and comfortable, although not particulary modern or luxurious. It faced the main street and had a decent balcony - street noise anticipated, but was never a problem. I had no particular complaints. Extras are very expensive, i.e. business center, restaurants, laundry. Staff not entirely helpful and many cannot converse usefully in English. Most were friendly, but not all. Wangfujian commerce just a few steps away." -- happychina, Dec 6, 2007

• Solo2 Studio Apartment
  Central Beijing, 130-5133-6528, FAX 6703-7797, email. Studio rooms with kitchenette, private bath with 24-hour hot water, broadband wireless Internet access, fridge, water heater, electric cooker, sheets and linen, 24-hr security, aircon, English speaking landlord. Plus, personal tour guide and Jeep Cheroake for Beijing tour. Located west of the New World Center and New Century KTV, close to Chongwenmen subway station, one subway stop from Tiananmen Square/Forbidden City and Beijing Railway Station. Next to the New World Shopping Mall with a super market. Utopia Member Discount

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.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "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

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, 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, gat a peek at their famous Peacock Ballroom and imagine the swinging Shanghai parties that took place there once upon a time. They have special rates on Expedia (executive floor rooms with king beds are less than US$100/night). No problem for same-sex couples if you book a double room.
• Hotel 101
  3/F and 4/F 18 Gaolan Rd (near Sinan Rd), 5383-1199, FAX 6384-2948, email. China’s very first gay hotel! Opened by the owners of Pinkhome (see Bars and Clubs), it occupies the higher floors of the same building (the club has been thoughtfully soundproofed). Professional and friendly service. Gay tourists will find clean, comfortable rooms at a very reasonable prices. Plus, Shanghai’s flagship gay club is only an elevator ride away! Utopia Member Discount

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.