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

Guangzhou is a huge city, spread out along waterways that are lit at night by computerized laser and lighting shows. The pace of modernization here seems slower, so Guangzhou is a treasure trove of traditional and period architecture, and a short walk off the beaten paths will reward the visitor with fascinating glimpses of the daily life of its 7 million residents (300,000 of whom are Utopians).

Shamian Island is a tiny parcel of land packed with European heritage buildings and garden parks. It's a great vantage point for the nightly public light show and an easy and fun stroll. Don't be surprised if you are asked, "Are you adopting a baby?" here, as this seems to be where China's unwanted children, primarily female, find new and loving parents. It also explains why there are so many baby clothes shops tucked in beside the art galleries and tea houses.

There is a lot to see and do in Guangzhou, so you won't run out of activities if you stay a few days.

• Men in Guangzhou message forum
• Guangzhou Gay Scene Updates message forum

The Utopia Guide to China (2nd Edition) is an expanded and updated guidebook to the gay and lesbian scene in 50 Chinese cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Included are bars, discos, spas, and restaurants. Enjoy hundreds of savvy comments and recommendations from local Utopians and travelers. Click here to order

Click here for Guangzhou hotels and accommodations.

• Xiaozhou Village
  Way off the tourist circuit (at the moment) and difficult to find, but if you are a fan of traditional life and architecture, this small village of quaint canals and no cars has plenty of Ming Dynasty buildings preserved in their original state. You'll see clan halls, ancestral temples, wood carvings, craftsmen, locals playing mahjong by the winding tree-lined canals, and a home whose walls are made of oyster shells. There is even a village theater presenting Chinese operas in the evening. Artists have begun to relocate to this quiet haven and restoration and refurbishment for tourists is just beginning, so catch it soon before it becomes Disneyfied like so many of China's other famous water villages. Pay a local Y$20 (US$3) to give you a walking tour. Make sure your taxi knows the place or you'll never find it. About 35 minutes drive from downtown (under US$25 for the round-trip fair and waiting time). Ask your taxi driver to wait and take you back!

• Bear Pub
  Liu Rong Bld, 61 Liu Rong St (behind the 7-11 store), 6127-6012.
• Fabula Club
  G/F and B/F 28 Shui Yin Lu (south end, close to the cross road with Huanshi Dong Rd, 3760-2691, 137-1171-8455.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "The Fabula Club is in a separate room from the bar area. This makes it easier to chat in the bar area without the disco speakers blasting next to you. Both areas have full service bars. Love the open ceiling and minimalist decor." -- jonhgz, Apr 24, 2008

  "Currently popular. Not that good, but one of only a few choices for local gays." -- suehiro, Mar 10, 2008

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Wilber's is a different option to hang out if you don't feel like dice games. They have a selection of cocktails which you can't find at any other gay bar in GZ and one of the best martinis in town. Even though it's a mixed crowd on weeknights, Fri and Sat have more gays coming til the wee hours. Went there last Sat and stayed til 5am." -- Simply_GAM, Jul 13, 2008

  "Popular spot: Wilber's. Of course there's Bear Pub, and Velvet is getting gayer and gayer." -- suehiro, Jan 17, 2008

• Rich-e (Chuang Yi)
  Tianhe Bld, 133 Ti Yu Xi Lu, 3886-2388. Fun crowd at this dance bar.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "A new gay disco. Better than Fabula - better crowd, less MBs, better music, open longer - the best gay disco in Guangzhou at present." -- suehiro, Sep 16, 2008

• Velvet
  1/F no 403 International Electronic Mansion, Huanshi Dong Lu, Chinese Overseas Village, 8732-7801, 8732-7802.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "I went to Velvet Club when the other clubs emptied and at least 30% of the crowd there was gay there. Last Sun Velvet was really crazy with good music and very, very gay." -- suehiro, Sep 16, 2008

Asia Massage Appointments: 130-6289-1217, email. 24-hour outcall massage by male therapists. Foot reflexology, Chinese, Thai and oil massage. Utopia Member Discount

Guangzhou Star Male Massage Appointments: 137-2684-6217 (English and Chinese), email. Gay-owned massage business. Handsome, friendly Chinese masseurs offering relaxing massage for men. Outcall only. Utopia Member Discount

Comments from Utopians:

"I've tried Guangzhou Star Male Massage and had a delightful experience. The masseur was friendly and very skilled." -- jonhgz, Apr 1, 2008

Mr Strong Massage Appointments: 158-0003-3072, email. Gay-managed 24-hour outcall massage by male therapists. Foot reflexology, Chinese, Thai and oil massage. They offer a number of massage styles and their masseurs are young and strong. Utopia Member Discount

Comments from Utopians:

"I was very impressed with the variety of masseurs, ages between 18-22. Very friendly. Personalized and very much into customer service. Impressive." -- XQXA, Jul 4, 2008

Neil Massage Appointments: (0)137-8892-0568, email. 24-hour outcall massage by male therapists. Foot reflexology, Chinese, Thai and oil massage. Utopia Member Discount

• Beijing Rd
• CITIC Plaza, Tian-He District (the tallest building in Guangzhou), facilities on each floor of the shopping plaza
• Gyms
  Look in the parks. Very cheap, with steam bath, dry sauna and swimming pool, not exclusively gay (be discreet).
• Ji Nian Tang (underground station)
• Pearl Riverside near White Swan Hotel
• People's Park.
  By the Metro, get off at Gongyuan Qian Station. Gays usually hang out on the west side of the park, with an endless stream of men going in and out of the facilities. Outside, under the trees and on the benches, men sit and look to connect. There is also interaction in the bottom left hand corner of the park, near the dancing area (as you face the entrance with your back to the subway). The park is full of unemployed migrants, so while they can be cute, the phrase 'meiyo Renminbi' (it's not possible to give you money) may work to clear up any misunderstanding. Avoid the MBs. There are regular, honest gay men here looking for a partner.
• Shamian Tennis Court
• Intersection of Zhongshan 4th Rd and Cangbian RD

Comments from Utopians:

"Sexiest Swimming Pool in Guangzhou: There is a very clean outdoor swimming pool (Olympic size) in downtown. It is located in Eastern Place Residence (DongFeng GuangChang), 1 Dong Far St, 787 Dong Feng Dong Rd. Check out the long-chair and shower when it is sunny, you might find good-looking PLU staff and customers. Mixed crowd. Be discreet." -- suehiro, Sep 16, 2008

"There is a a big bookstore in the Sharp Bld where Chinese gays hang out looking for contacts. If you are reasonably discrete you can strike up conversations on 3/F near the WC. It seems a good place to meet middle class, educated gays who may be hard to locate otherwise. Subway stop there is Tiyu Xilu." -- JayCool, Apr 22, 2008

Tang Lee Food Art (Cantonese cuisine) Huasha Da Dao, Ru Yi Fang, Li Wan Hu Park, 8170-2228, 8181-8002. This charming lake restaurant inside a city park serves good local food. You can just point at pictures and prices are clearly listed. Sit indoors, on the terrace or balcony, or in one of their charming floating boats with your special someone. Lots of veggie dishes and the usual mystery meats. The pigeon was actually excellent (like mini, crispy duck).

• Starbucks in the street on the right hand side of Garden Hotel is popular with gays, including gay university students and gay Arab businessmen.
• Wilber's Bar and Restaurant (European)
  62 Zhusi Gang Rd, , +86-20-37611101, FAX , email. A renovated house turned into a brasserie with three floors of roomy dining and a barbeque terrace. The service is welcoming. They offer an eclectic menu of European cuisine. Great wine list and fabulous Martinis and Margaritas. A destination for gays and their friends. Open 5-11pm for dinner and until 3am at the bar. Gay-owned. 62 号 竹丝岗二马路

• Chung Mei Li Jian Mei Zhong Xin
  1/F Haizu Zhong Lu 5 (near the Xi Men Kou Metro), 137-1177-7714. New location for this gay sauna.

• YK Club
  3/F Li Kang Mansion, 970 Kang Wang Bei Lu (opposite the gate of No. 4 Middle School), 020-8890-5500, 137-1142-3573.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "The YK Club is the biggest, most glamorous gay sauna in Guangzhou! It feels positively huge after the small, poky and dingy saunas we have put up with so far. There are still no private rooms (they seem to be encouraging group activity). YK Club and Sunshine Club have the same owner, but Sunshine seems to be gradually winding down its operations." -- JayCool, May 16, 2008

• Private Structure
  GZ Dynasty Mall. Sells sexy underwear for men.
• Tiku
  Fuquianlu 11 (northwest of Peoples Park). A small shop selling a good selection of intriguing underwear.