Queer travel expert Jack Kenworthy turns 250+ city adventures into your guide for safe, vibrant, and inclusively fabulous global journeys.
Overshadowed in almost every respect by Taipei in the north, Gay Taichung – the third largest city in Taiwan – has a small but fun LGBT scene though most travelers visit for the sheer variety of cultural attractions, funky hotels and hiking in the nearby hills.
Very much an under-the-radar gay tourist destination Taichung also has a vibrant arts scene, incredible food options, friendly locals, and lower prices than Taipei (1 hour north via High-Speed Train), Tainan and Kaohsiung.
LGBT acceptance in Taichung is pretty high, and Taiwan is well-known as the most gay-friendly place in Asia, so you are unlikely to have any issues here in terms of public displays of affection or discrimination.
The Taiwanese are among the nicest, friendliest people in the entire world and during our entire time in Gay Taiwan did not experience anything except warm welcomes – a nice change after visiting Shanghai and Hanoi.
Gay life in Taichung is relatively normalized, and you can find plenty of younger gay couples wandering the street, or getting cozy over cocktails – although you will quickly notice the culture of Taiwan is not big on public displays of affection: straight or gay.
Along with diverse gay nightlife options, Taichung’s gay scene also offers up a variety of cultural events, the biggest of which is the Taichung Gay Pride, held every year in December. While Taichung might still be a little conservative compared to Taipei, gay travelers can feel entirely at ease in this liberal society and are highly unlikely to experience any problems at all.
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Attractions in Taichung
Naturally, being gay does not define which attractions most of us will want to see in each city, and most queer travelers will simply want to check out the top things to see in Taichung during the day!
There is so much to do here – but we found our favorite memories were wandering around the nearby mountains, making use of the city’s extensive bicycle lanes (while promptly getting lost) and wandering the vibrant night markets.
One of the best tips we can give you for exploring Gay Taichung is to pre-order a travel SIM card for easy airport pickup and activation the moment you arrive, so you will not pay a fortune in international roaming charges.
Get restaurants recommendation and reservations on the fly, public transport instructions up to the minute, bar opening hours and, if it is your thing – access to gay hook-up apps to find out more about the local scene.
Mobile data is fast, cheap and available almost everywhere in Asia, so it is no wonder most travelers choose to stay connected and get off the beaten track (without ever worrying about getting lost). So why wait? Pre-order the best local SIM card now to have it waiting for you in Taiwan when you arrive.
Still – it helps to have some kind of idea of what is going on, so here are our must-see attractions in Taichung that you absolutely not miss! If you get lost along the way, you can always refer to our gay Taichung map at the end.
One of the most surprising highlights of Taichung, this colorful village, is the lovechild of a visionary, old veteran soldier. Built hastily to house KMT soldiers after arriving from the mainland, this dying village is now covered in all his vibrant and hand-painted animals, dolls, airplanes and mange characters. Needless to say, the village is doing quite well now!
Wander is the best night market in Taichung, where everything from bubble tea to stinky tofu is available to try. The atmosphere is quintessential Taiwanese and oh-so-photogenic.
National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
An expansive museum with an extensive collection of Taiwanese art and an innovative sculpture garden that is perfect for exploring on a sunny day.
The tranquil urban park is perfect for relaxing during the weekdays or people-watching on the weekends.
A fun city lane filled with street art depicting anime and famous Taiwanese cartoons.
A contemporary art museum with fun outdoor sculptures and revolving exhibits. Or just hang out in the uber-hipster cafe.
Traditional Taiwanese Cooking Class
Cycle around town, picking up the freshest local ingredients from local vendors before heading back for a master class covering three traditional Taiwanese dishes.
Tangyue Resort Public Hot Spring Spa
City life can be tough, so why not take a day out and relax in soothing spring water surrounded by soaring mountains, and lush jungle and breathe in fresh, clean air?
Visit this unique museum dedicated to the Taiwanese history of wood carving, which began in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Discover how to expertly carve wood tableware in the charming 80-year-old woodwork shop located in central Taichung.
A fun walking tour is taking in the best of this dynamic city after dark. Explore fun discos, hear ghost stories, and see all the top sites of this city in an entirely new light.
Dive into a bizarre, recreated shipwreck in the deepest diving pool in Asia…all right in the heart of the city.
Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
Visit one of Taiwan’s most popular theme parks with magnificent views, fun rides, tranquil beauty and the famous Aboriginal Cherry Blossom Festival held every year in February.
Wander through the old street of this historic town just outside of Taichung with traditional architecture, arched doorways, and red brick walls, + a cute art village.
Head to the skies with an unforgettable paragliding flight over Nantou just out of town. Under the guidance of professional paragliding instructors, of course!
Hire a car or take a tour to see some of the most spectacular natural highlights of Taiwan in this 9-hour itinerary. Highlights include the Xitou Monster Village, Sun Link Sea Park and the mysterious Lotus Forest.
Roam the most scenic lake in Taiwan; take a surreal boat ride and explore the historic Wenwu Temple.
Taichung LGBTIA Pride Parade
An annual pride parade that is said to be the second largest in Asia takes place in December. Beginning in Taichung People’s Park, it makes a loop through the city and returns to the park for speeches and performances. Now that gay marriage is legal in Taiwan, there is an increased focus on transgender, bisexual, asexual and pansexual people.
Gay-Friendly and Gay Hotels in Taichung
As Taiwan is the most progressive and gay-friendly country in Asia, pretty much every hotel in Taichung can be considered gay-friendly, and none of our readers will likely experience any issues here. After all, being gay-friendly is not all about upscale luxury, but about providing friendly service and welcoming everyone with open arms!
Having said that, everyone likes to be surrounded by people with common interests, and as such, there are a few popular hotels in Taichung that are known hot spots for gay travelers to stay – either because of their location near gay clubs and sauna in Taichung, or just thanks to their fabulous design and friendly staff.
The following hotels in Gay Taichung are only the most popular with gay travelers – but there are hundreds of other hotels in Taichung if you don’t find quite what you are looking for.
Whether you want a fun and social hostel, a cheap place to crash after a night of partying or a chic designer option to sip cocktails and surround yourself with fabulous people – Gay Taichung has something for everyone!
Millennium Hotel Taichung ☆☆☆☆☆
Modern high-rise hotel for guests who are here to work and don’t want any surprised. Sleek rooms, spacious ensures, day spa, sauna and the best outdoor pool in town!
A gay-popular luxury hotel in the heart of Taichung. Understated charm, super-relaxing comforts and all the amenities you would expect from a hotel of this caliber.
A hip, vintage-inspired hotel that adds a bit of the roaring 1920s to modern-day Taichung. Retro touches abound, but thankfully there are airy rooms and a Nespresso machine, so the modern world is not wholly forgotten. Some rooms have stunning city views, and there is a funky lobby and guest lounge with a fun jukebox.
A fun futuristic hotel with robots on arrival and a fun space-age design. We always love hotels that are just as much of an attraction as the city, so Moving Star Hotel fits the bill perfectly. New rooms and a hotel that really cares about the small touches.
Another fabulous themed hotel, this time taking the concept of eco-friendly to its extreme. Beautiful green features are hidden everywhere you can imagine (including some lightbulb displays), and it feels just like living in an ecological utopia. Three delicious breakfast options, friendly and supportive staff and a location close to all the art museums.
Taichung Box Design Hotels ☆☆☆
A chic hotel with a mixture of affordable private rooms and comfortable dorms, meaning you can frequently meet other travelers here. Great location in the thick of everything, and a delicious night market waits just around the corner.
The Sun Hot Spring & Resort ☆☆☆☆
If your hiring a car or don’t mind a bit of public transport, this is an utterly unique stay and perfect for relaxing in style. A modern hot spring hotel nestled in the scenic Dakeng area just out of Taichung city.
We loved the polished wood floors, pioneering design, in-room hot tubs and all of the clothing-optional hot spring baths. Relax and recharge in the serene retreat.
The most expensive ‘budget stay’ in Taichung, but we think it’s worth the bit extra as this fun hotel features a 2-floor-high tube slide, wooden floors, cool art and plenty of instagrammable locations. Ultra-clean, helpful staff and free bikes to use to explore the city. The most fun we have had in a hotel in a long time!
Popular, affordable, and funky accommodation with some of the lowest prices in central Taichung for a private room. We have no idea what it has to do with a Kiwi (and see no resemblance to Gay Auckland), but it’s very clean, comfortable, stylish and has an affordable daily breakfast add-on.
A very-popular hostel with rave reviews only a few minutes walk from the Taichung Train Station. Industrial loft-style, we recommend staying here if you’re on a budget, traveling solo or just want to make friends to explore the Taichung nightlife with.
They also host regular events making it even easier to meet people from all over the world. You could also try the Unicorn Hostel, though sadly, not a gay hostel as we had hoped!
Gay Bars and Gay Clubs in Taichung
Like the city itself, the gay nightlife scene in Taichung flies under the radar and is often overshadowed by Gay Taipei or Gay Hong Kong – but if you know where to look, rest assured there are plenty of intriguing gay and gay-friendly bars in Taichung!
Depending on your mood, you can find anything here, from a relaxed cocktail in an upscale bar to an all-night dance rave surrounded by your queer family!
In the past gay events in Taichung used to take place, but Flow seems to have stopped since early 2017, so it pays to ask around when you arrive (e.g., log into Grindr). At the moment, however, these are the most popular nightlife spots, gay bars and gay clubs in Taichung for travelers and locals.
The main gay bar in Taichung with sexy go-go dancers, drag shows, karaoke and a popping dance floor on the weekends.
Seriously muscle is on display here, which is relatively uncommon in Gay Asia, with fun events held throughout the year, including jelly wrestling, strip shows and more. The center of Gay Taichung and not to be missed.
A gay cafe in Taichung is hetero-friendly. A perfect place to start the night, enjoy lunch or meet other locals in the Taichung LGBT community. Check out their rainbow cocktails or Glamazonian toast!
Small but fun gay / gay-popular karaoke bar with a loyal following.
A favorite gay wine bar frequented by a younger crowd with a kind staff. Karaoke and all-you-can-drink Fridays
A funky bar popular with local lesbians. Cheap drinks, a small dance floor, and fun shows.
Newly opened gay hangouts hoping to increase the visibility of the local community. Fun cocktails, delicious food and super-friendly staff (even by Taiwan’s high standards). Look for the Pink Union Jack outside.
Not a gay bar, but very popular with ex-pats. Get away from the crowds and relax with these signature beers and ales in a laid-back gastro-pub environment.
Moonight lounge @ Millennium Hotel
Best views in the city, delicious cocktails, and sophisticated surroundings.
A funky bright nightclub setting where A-listers in the Taichung social scene go to a party the night away. Plenty of gay locals are here, but better to take your crew with you and just enjoy the pumping atmosphere.
A local student/hipster hangs out with an ex-pat following. Prices are low, and there is always something going on here, so it’s the perfect place to make new friends.
Man Massage and Gay Spas in Taichung
Don’t care about the sights or simply want to take advantage of high-quality gay spas in Taichung? Then why not get a sensual male massage in Taichung – there are plenty of options!
Here are our most recommended gay spas in Taichung and male massage Taichung options (though there are plenty of other gay massage places in Taichung, we have heard mixed reviews about the rest!).
Professional and highly qualified masseurs trained in traditional Thai aroma oil massage and foot massages. All staff speak English and also offer services in Taipei and Hsinchu.
TT Spa
(Temporarily or permanently closed. If you know something, please suggest an edit.)
Gay male massage services from sexy boys are somewhat trained in traditional oil and full-body massages. Since Golden Map Spa is no longer operating, TT Spa has become a lot more popular.
Plenty of cute guys offering different male massages in Taichung according to their availability. Offering Chinese Shiatsu, Oil Relaxation, and Body to Body massage services.
Goldmine928 Massage Center Taichung
One of the best massage and spa centers in Taichung. The modern industrial style makes this massage center feel like a cross between a health club and a museum. Large floor-to-ceiling glass wall design with garden views leave you feeling completely relaxed.
Their philosophy focussed on pedicures and foot massages, but they also offer full body, acupuncture, and back-scraping.
The Mandara Massage @ Tempus Hotel
The closest you will get to a Western-style Massage is Taichung. Absolute top-quality with prices to match. Offering foot, full body, and oil massages.
Gay Saunas in Taichung
Had enough of gay cruising in Taichung – either in the bars or elsewhere?
For those who want a bit more guaranteed action, there is now only one gay sauna in Taichung, but it can get pretty busy. Foreigners should have no issues visiting any Taichung gay sauna but be warned that we have heard reports that older, hairy or chubbier guys might not get much action.
Adam Sauna (亞當三溫暖)
Old and tired, but it will do in a pinch. More expensive with action than the gay saunas in Taipei, but they’re still always someone here to have fun with. It was popular with the fit, younger guys but is now the old bathhouse left in town, so it’s a mixed page. Steam room, TV / XXX lounge, maze and dark spaces with a play zone.
This gay sauna in Taichung is a bit hard to find; look for the big white neon sign board and match the Chinese characters/phone number (+886 4 2220 1069). The address is correct on our gay Taichung Map – No. 2號, Lane 19, Section 1, Shuangshi Road, so you can use Google street view before you go.
Most popular on the weekend afternoons but can be busy from 4-6 pm on weekdays.
Honghua Palace Sauna is now permanently closed.
Gay Map Of Taichung
Finding it hard to envisage where everything is in Taichung? Hopefully, this queer-centric map helps where we have marked all the bars, clubs, parties, hotels, saunas, massages and more will help you stay in the spot best suited to you!