SHENZHEN (Guangdong Province) -- area code (86-755)

Shenzhen is a new city with vast stretches of it carefully planned around parks, buildings and highways. On the border with Hong Kong, Shenzhen gets mostly day visitors looking for cheap deals, otherwise it's primarily a place to do business. Chinese from elsewhere in the country are allowed to move here (unlike Shanghai or Beijing) and so the population is a mix of many ethnicities, cuisines and subcultures. Shenzhen offers most Chinese a better standard of living, with higher wages and more freedom.

Shenzhen's population is about 8 million (that's about 320,000 Utopians).

• Men in Shenzhen message forum
• Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen bars and clubs.

Click here for Shenzhen discos.

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

Mr Strong Massage Appointments: 137-1480-9603, 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

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

Shenzhen Star Male Massage Appointments: 134-1857-1558 (English and Chinese), email. Gay-owned massage business. Handsome, friendly Chinese masseurs offering relaxing massage for men. Outcall only. Utopia Member Discount

• Teng Fei Relaxation Centre
  5/F Seibu Department Store, 3002 Dong Men South Rd, 8238-8265 (same building as Cartier and Louis Vuitton, across from the Hilton and Sunshine Hotels). Massage (choose masseur from their book of photos) with TV lounge and sauna. Some masculine, mature masseurs are also on staff.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Very friendly staff. The lady who was running the place spoke sufficient English for me to get what I wanted. I opted for the VIP room for Y$348 including my pick of one of their 15 or so on-staff men. I had to use body language to indicate I wanted to see the photo album. The guy I chose was good enough with the massage, but when it looked like things were going farther, that's when the dollars jumped up almost twice as much. It was still about half the price of Hong Kong massage, and there was a bathroom and shower in the room, TV too." -- gobfayville, Jul 14, 2008

  "Their massage service is TOP RATE. A little expensive (Y$300 plus) but the masseur I chose from the photo album was exquisite - tall, handsome, muscular, and butch. The finishing sequence was amazing, with lots of baby oil! :) They have solved the tipping extortion - rates are all-inclusive now and tipping is not allowed. I admit I was skeptical (being a softy from way back) but it proved to be true. Highly recommended." -- lotusbear, Feb 4, 2008

  "I was disappointed with the cleanliness and attitudes of the staff. I chose the standard Y$98 2 hour massage. When the bill came I was billed Y$118. I questioned why and the staff said I was given a bigger room so the charge is more. My masseur also asked if I wanted to see him totally naked, if so I needed to upgrade the room (paying another Y$148 yuan) for more privacy. I said no." -- NYChGuy, Apr 9, 2007

• Phoenix House
  Hua Qiang Bei Rd, on the eastern side of Pavilion Hotel, 8207-6688, 8207-6338. This "tea house" is actually a large, modern restaurant offering a huge range of delicious dim sum type little dishes that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. Menu is in Chinese, but just point at any of the food being served around you if you don't have a Chinese-speaking friend in tow. The tri-corner layer flake pastry stuffed with warm papaya and coconut is sensational!

Click here for Shenzhen saunas for men.