Chinese lesbians use the terms "T" for tomboy (butch women), 婆 or "po" (femme or wife), and 不分 or “bu fen” (not divided) for women who don't fit the T/Po stereotypes. The slang term "lala" or "lalas" is also used by lesbians to describe themselves.

China / Hong Kong Gay & Lesbian News
China Lesbian Scene Updates message forum
Travel in China message forum
Women in China message forum
Additional Links and Resources

 

Lavender Phoenix
Contact and support group for lesbian and bisexual women from Mainland China.

 

 

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BEIJING -- area code (86-10)

Everyone you meet in Beijing will tell you how much the city has changed in recent years. While not as radical as the space-age transformation of Shanghai, solemn Beijing is slowly re-furbishing its historical and cultural assets as it upgrades its infrastructure. The official "color" of Beijing, gray (!), is being blended with warmer pastels, and garden landscaping is optimistically employed to combat the pollution and dust. Even more changes are expected as the city prepares to host the Olympics, including a government campaign to eliminate swearing, spitting, and littering.
Population now exceeds 20 million (that's about 800,000 Utopians).

LalaBar.com is a Chinese-language resource for lalas (lesbians).
Women in Beijing message forum

 

BGLAD
Beijing Gay, Lesbian, and Allies Discussion is for those belonging to or wishing to support the gay/lesbian/bi/trans community in Beijing. Multicultural and multisexual, their aim is to bring these individuals together in a safe space that is supportive, friendly, and really FUN. They meet every 1st and 3rd Sun of the month in Sanlitun and welcome non-Chinese to join in.
Common Language
010-6481-3064, email. (Chinese and English). A Beijing-based support group for lesbian/bisexual women. Lesbian scene info.

 

 

Crystal Rainbow
Xing Ba Lu (near Nv Ren Jie). Fri lesbian night. Mostly young people.
Feng Bar
100 meters east of the South Gate of Worker's Stadium. Fri women's night.
G&L Secret Garden (mixed)
6 San Li Tun South St (east side), 6507-4890. Right between Pink Loft and Golden Barn (see restaurants below). A trendy new club that may (or may not) be a G&L friendly venue: the decor is screaming -- from the froofy uniforms to the huge blow-ups of gay photographer and filmmaker James Bidgood, to the name itself -- but the staff seem clueless. Funky and vivid interior. Apparently popular with women.
Le Jazz Bar
4/F Full Link Plaza. Beijing Lala Salon is held every Sat afternoon from 2pm-7pm. A great place to talk and make new women friends. Mixed ages.
Maple bar at Pipe Cafe
100m east of the south gate of Worker's Stadium. Sat lesbian night. Mostly young people.
Pipe Café
Gongli Nan Lu, 6593-7756. Spacious club, nicely decorated.
Rainbow Bar
Xing Ba Lu, New Bar St, 139-1189-9374. Fri women's night.
West Wing (Xixiangfang)
Deshengham Tower, Deshengmen on North the 2nd Ring Rd, directions and map, 8208-2836. Housed in a traditional grand city gate tower, with both courtyard and indoor seating. Good place for lesbians to hang out with friends. Mixed ages. Open nightly, but packed with women on Fri.

Comments from Utopians:
"As kitch as Cubby Hole (NYC) and serving glam cocktails a la Candy Bar in London, this women's bar is one place you cannot miss when you are next in Beijing." -- lalaworld, Oct 23, 2006

 

 

Destination
7 Gongti Xi Lu (near the Workers' Stadium). If you are coming from other parts of Beijing and using the subway, get off at Dong Si Shi Tiao Station, choose the exit that takes you to Gong Ren Ti Yu Chang (Workers' Stadium), walk along Gong Ti Bei Lu, you should go past the Asia Hotel, then the indoor stadium (Ti Yu GUAN), turn right immediately into Gong Ti Xi Lu, and walk for a bit, Destination will be on your right next to a Thai restaurant. Friendly management and staff, cool sound and lighting system and dance floor. Thu women's night.

 

Bellagio
6 Gongti Xu Lu, 6551-3533. A lesbian-friendly café with cute tomboy staff. Open 24-hours.

 

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

lesinguangzhou is an English-language network for women.

 

 

Comments from Utopians:
"Planet Bar is behind Teemall/Grandview Mall (south side, opposite side from the TianHe Sports Plaza), down the street with 7-11 on the corner. Last time I went it was still alive and well. The young lady who runs it is really welcoming, helpful and speaks pretty good English. Go east behind Grandview till you get to the 7-11 and turn right. Planet is in the first building on your left, door is at the back. The bar is on 2/F, so you'll need to ring the buzzer." -- d, Aug 22, 2006

"My lesbian friends inform me that there is a new girl's club called Planet Bar, somewhere in the Tianhe area." -- JayCool, Jun 9, 2006

"Last Sun I went to the Cave Café, in Tian He, near the Garden Hotel, and I saw some lesbian scene and the lapdancers too were dancing in a very hot way. It's more or less an English pub with music and dancers. Some of the gals who where there also seemed to be interested each other." -- saffina21, Jan 16, 2006

 

 

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HANGZHOU (Zhejiang Province) -- area code (86-571)

Marco Polo passed through Hangzhou in the 13th century and called it one of the most splendid cities in the world. Today, Hangzou is a bustling lakeside resort popular with Chinese holiday makers. The enormous West Lake retains the romance of long ago, with misty vistas that seem to have been lifted from a painted scroll.
Population is 6 million (that's a quarter million Utopians).

 

 

 

The Wine Shop
1, 1, Tong Po Rd (Long Chang Lu), 701-0481. Take Tong Po Road, and about half way there's an alley called Long Chang. First shop on the left is the bar. Very friendly atmosphere, mostly students and young professionals. After midnight good singing parties. Owner and cute bartenders very helpful. Chinese speaking staff.

 

 

He Cha Guan (tea house)
77 Huai Min Rd (at the intersection of So Yan An South Rd), 8782-9711, 8782-9733. A modern tea house with traditional decor and booth seating with curtains that may be drawn for extra privacy. Try a variety of teas while you sample a strange selection of treats from a "tea buffet". A very cozy and relaxing place.

 

 

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HONG KONG -- area code (852)

Population is over 6 million (that's a quarter million Utopians).

Women in Hong Kong message forum

 

Hong Kong Ten Percent Club
GPO Box 72207, Kowloon, 2314-8726 (Weds. from 7:30pm-9:30pm). Active since 1986. They have the She & Her Ladies Activities Group which organize regular women's activities. Chairlady -- Zoe.
HORIZONS
GPO Box 6837, Hong Kong, 2815-9268 (Tues and Thu, 7:30-10:30pm), email. Hong Kong's comprehensive resource on gay and lesbian issues. Contact the HORIZONS counseling, support and information hotline for updated places around Hong Kong, including discos, saunas, bars, and latest activities organized by HORIZONS and other gay groups. Hiking group meets up at Exit G of Central MTR Station at 9:30am the second Sun of every month. Support Group counseling is held once a month to provide lesbigay people a casual and confidential environment to share difficulties they face as sexual minorities. Enrollment is necessary but all personal details are kept strictly confidential. To join, call (852) 9776-6479.
Women Coalition of Hong Kong
Email.
Queer Sisters
Hotline: 2314-4348 (Cantonese only), Page: 7112-8445 #1613, email. Hosts women-only parties. Feminist group formed in 1996 and gradually making its presence felt serving the needs of lesbian and bisexual women.
XX
Hong Kong's Lesbian Organization, Pager: 7112-3445 #1613. Meets on the last Sun of the month at Club 64.

 

 

Club 64
G/F 12-14 Wing Wah Lane, Central, 2523-2801. Mainly lesbian crowd.
Home Entertainment Club
18/F Circle Plaza, 499 Hennessy Rd, Causeway Bay, 2891-3266, email. Lesbian Pub and Karaoke.
U-Turn Café & Bar
3/F Cheung Hing Commercial Bld, 37-41 Cochrane St (above Dublin Jack Pub, next to the Central escalator, enter on Gage St), Central , 2851-1833, email. A fashionable, hot bar for gays and lesbians. Trendy music. A comfortable place for upscale locals to meet visitors. When it's your birthday, get a complimentary cake to share your happiness! Open Mon-Fri from 6pm-4am and Sat and holidays from 8pm till the wee hours.
Virus
6/F Allways Centre, 468 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, 2904-7207, 2904-7213 . Mostly lesbian crowd. 香港銅鑼灣謝菲道468號百達中心六樓

 

 

Loft Bar De
2/F 126-128 Lockhart Rd, Wanchai (above Hin Ho restaurant), 2866-3268.

 

 

1 Jordan Road
A gathering place for DGS old girls to share our joy, sorrow or experiences freely. We can help each other with support through messages and chat. Old friends can get re-acquainted. New friendship may develop. Any interested old girls can visit to register. Bisexuals and friends are welcomed, too.

 

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JINAN (Shandong Province) -- area code (86-531)

Population is 5.5 million (that's over 200,000 Utopians).

 

 

 

Comments from Utopians:
"There's a new nightclub called Landiao. Seems to be a favorite with lesbians also. There's KTV, a show and a disco afterwards. The drinks are cheap enough and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves... The club is situated in or near Dui Shan Jie St somewhere behind the Silver Plaza. The doors are painted bright orange and it is across the street from a hot pot restaurant. Open till late." -- Katlo, Jan 5, 2004

 

 

 

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SHANGHAI -- area code (86-21)

It is evident everywhere just how international Shanghai was in the past and has become once again. Tree-lined boulevards and ornately designed merchant shop fronts are testament to its former prosperity and its hopeful future.
Music seems to be absent from the street. Instead, there is the din of constantly honking horns from impatient drivers who maneuver aggressively amongst the throng of bicycles and pedestrians. A city of contrasts--where sleek skyscrapers rise next to neighborhood chamber pot dumps; where McDonalds, Pizza Hut and KFC are sprouting up on all sides of their unfashionable communist copies; where 3D motion simulators rock and roll next to peddle carts--Shanghai startles in its progressiveness. Neon-splashed Huai Hai Rd sports trend-setting world-class department stores, mega-restaurants, cathedral-sized banks and gleaming Metro stops. Shanghainese are well-dressed with only an occasional fading Mao suit. Shanghai appears to be run by youth, staffed by youth, and patronized by youth.

Population is over 14 million (that's more than a half million Utopians).

Women in Shanghai message forum
Email to join the LesInShanghai email forum and exchange info with other local and expat women living in Shanghai.

 

 

Lesbian bar locations change rapidly in Shanghai. For updated information, log on to a Chinese lesbian chat room, such as lalaclub.net or lalachat.com.

Butterfly
Sat night party for women. Venues change but it has been taking place most regularly at Max Club on the corner of Hengshan Lu and Wulumuqi Lu.
Eddy's Bar
1877 Huaihai Zhong Lu (on the corner of Tian Ping Rd, opposite Wu-Kang Mansion and next to a mini-mart on the corner), 6282-0521, 136-6183-8797, email. Latest incarnation of one of Shanghai's longest operating gay clubs. World-class club design (this could be New York, Milan or Paris) with red lighting and Chinese modern decor. Friendly owners, Eddy and Michael, and their charming staff will make you feel instantly at home (their excellent website is a great resource as well). Especially good music mix with world flavors and not too loud to kill conversation. Crowd tends to be more mature, upscale, and a blend of locals, expats and visitors. Lesbians and women-friends of gays are also welcome. Reasonably priced, cash only (no credit cards). 淮海中路1877号，近天平路
Frangipani Bar & Café
399 Dagu Rd (near Shi Men Yi Rd), 5375-0084, 137-6127-3240, email. A lesbian-friendly gay bar right in the city center, near the Shi Men Yi Lu subway station. They have warm, friendly, young waiters, to help make you feel at home. The futuristic pop decor is techy cool and the space is accented by the musical vibes. It's like having your own private party at the bar. Lots of expats and visitors. Open daily from 6pm till late. They serve light snacks, like cakes, to fuel the fun. Cash only. 上海市大沽路399号（石门一路和成都北路之间 Utopia Member Discount

 

Mint
Tongren Lu and Beijing Lu. Thu is lesbian and gay-friendly night.

Comments from Utopians:
"Sometimes there are gay-parties at the Palace in Rui Jin Er Rd. Normally twice a month." -- Ping, Apr 16, 2005

 

 

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

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

 

 

Barden-Barden Disco Club
2/F No. 2033 Hong Ling Middle Rd, (opposite Shenzhen Humanity Hospital), 8241-8028, 134-2428-8788, email. 10 minutes by taxi from Shenzhen Train Station. Gay-owned disco offering a warm, comfortable and friendly atmosphere. Hot dance mixes and shows nightly. Special events Fri-Sun. Karaoke 7:30pm-11pm, shows 11pm-12:30am, disco from 12:30am till late. Upscale crowd of local young professionals and visitors. Lesbians and women-friends of gay are also welcome. Free entrance. Cash only. 深圳紅岭中路2033號商場2樓(博愛医院對面) Utopia Member Discount

 

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WUHAN (Hubei Province) -- area code (86-27)

Population is over 7 million (that's about 300,000 Utopians).

 

 

 

Shaka Lounge Bar
Shou Yi Yuan, #1 Shui Che Li, across from Languifang Wuchang, 130-1800-8234. Cozy new lesbian bar in Wuchang. Call first to check the hours. 武昌， 首义园， 水车里1号（兰桂坊斜对面）
Romantic Life
3-4 Jiangtan Park, Hankou, 8278-9041. This is a lesbian friendly gay bar on the Yangzi riverside. Go earlier on Fri and Sat for a larger crowd. 浪漫一生汉口江滩公园内3-4号

 

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

The population of Xiamen is over 1.3 million (that's over 50,000 Utopians).

 

 

 

Nong Qing Gan Wan Jiu Ba
G/F Da Tong Lu Xin Lu Jie (a small intersection in downtown Xiamen), directions and map, 869-1432, 135-9951-4790. This karaoke and disco bar is located in a blind alley, on the right side of the street. Many English songs for singing along. Lesbians are also welcome. Utopia Member Discount
Xiamen Country Club (Xiang Chun Lie Che)
2/F Fujing Dajie Yi Jie Dian Er Rd, directions and map, 251-8029, 0593-219-1169. A small, but cozy, place with karaoke. Some English songs are also available. Lesbians are welcome.
Yi Lu Tong Xing
G/F Dong Fang Paris, Jia He Lu (opposite the Rainbow Commercial Centre), directions in Chinese, 555-3797, email. Lesbian bar in a ground floor condo in a residential area. To get in might be difficult if the doors are closed, so call them and they will open it for you. They also welcome gay men. Utopia Member Discount

 

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XIAN (Shaanxi Province) -- area code (86-29)

Xian (often spelled as Xi'an and pronounced "she ahn") was the ancient imperial capital of China for over 11 centuries. Much of this history remains buried, either literally -- in the dirt surrounding regal burial mounds which dot the rural countryside -- or amidst the sky-rise development that has swallowed much of the city. Yet Xian's public spaces and charming alleyways manage to appear more authentically "Chinese" than Beijing's grandiose plazas and avenues. The old Muslim Quarter is particularly colorful and worth exploring on foot. Yes, the air is smoggy, but so was Los Angeles up until the late 1980s.
The population is nearing 7 million (so about a quarter million Utopians live here).

Terracotta Comrades
Xian is home to 36 universities and a multitude of software colleges and companies. It's not surprising that local lesbians are Internet savvy.

 

 

De Fa Chang
Bell Tower Square, 721-4060, 721-4065. Inside the city walls, in the Chinese-style building opposite the Bell Tower Hotel. Cheap, delicious steamed dumplings (a family-sized portion for just a dollar!) in more than 180 varieties from folk style to royal court. Great view of the imposing Bell Tower. This is a good alternative if you worry about the lack of cleanliness at street-side restaurants. Second branch a little further down the street.
Muslim Quarter.
Try a bowl (or two) of Xian-style "paomoa" noodles in a delicious soup of tender beef strips and tiny chopped pieces of bread pancake. Fresh-grilled skewers of lamb and other delicacies are available everywhere.
Xian Hotel Restaurant
He Pin Rd, opposite the corner of the Hyatt Regency Hotel (this is a branch, not the one at Xian Hotel!). Large, cafeteria-style place where you can easily point and order from a huge selection of Shaanxi provincial cuisine. Great noodles, soups and other mystery dishes. One cart is filled with large glass jars that look like they were purloined from a biology lab, filled with medicinal (read: libido-enhancing) liquor infused with snakes, scorpions, and other intriguing ingredients.