The Ultimate Gay Travel Guide
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2021.
Many gay visitors choose to stay in the French Concession area as it offers a good compromise between tourist activities and gay Shanghai nightlife. From true 5 star luxury to backpacker hostels Shanghai has it all.
There are accommodation options for all budgets. Because hotels tend to be relatively cheap for Western standards, many travelers opt to stay in nicer hotels that would be outside their budget in another country: a standard room in a high-end hotel will run you about ¥1000 (approximately $160) a night. Look for luxury hotels around The Bund, boutique stays in the French Concession, or incredible skyline views in Pudong.
However, if you are wanting to socialize and party on a budget, a backpacker hostel is probably the best choice. They also tend to have more English-speaking staff, and will be able to point you towards a good time. A dorm bed will usually cost about ¥70-¥90 ($10-£15), and there are a few great hostels not too far from the gay Shanghai hubs: Rock & Wood International Youth Hostel is a quiet and laid-back option a mere 15-20 minute walk from the grouping of gay bars and clubs in Changning.
Alternatively, there are quite a few budget options near The Bund, which is ideal if you want to stay close to the tourist spots. Bear in mind that while there is a friendly and varied backpacker crowd, hostels in China tend to be a more chill affair than some of the party hostels seen in Europe and Southeast Asia. Still, they are a great place to meet travelers with whom you can go out and enjoy the nightlife.
As a general rule, you should not struggle to find gay-friendly accommodation in Shanghai. Most places welcome same-sex couples when booking double rooms, but opt for international chains if you want to be sure. Stay in the French Concession area for a good compromise between tourist activities and gay Shanghai nightlife.
♥ Original, luxurious, and fun design across the entire hotel
♥ Brand New Hotel – Opened 2018
♥ The WET outdoor swimming pool deck is one of the best places in Shanghai for a #poolside photoshoot
W hotels are a long-established gay favorite brand throughout the world, and this brand-new addition to their portfolio is the W Asian flagship. The great location, exceptional design, attentive staff, and top-tier facilities combine to make this one of the very best luxury options in Shanghai for gay travelers.
As usual, you can expect impeccable contemporary design, blending modern lines, classic Chinese motifs, and quirky, unexpected details. Meanwhile, the hotel’s excellent position on the North Bund offers fantastic views of futuristic Pudong skyscrapers from almost every room. While these are impressive during the day, they become mesmerizing at night when the skyline comes to life.
There are four restaurants, including both international and Chinese options, and three excellent bars. As well as the usual poolside bar, you have a choice between a 1920’s speakeasy-themed vibe in Liquid at YEN and the ultra-hip cocktail stylings of in-house mixologist Dylan Lam in WOOBAR.
This hotel is located in the beautiful Concession area of Shanghai, just where it meets Changing district – which just so happens to be home to most of Shanghai’s gay bars and venues. This makes the Radisson Blu Plaza an ideal option if you are looking to make the most of Shanghai’s gay nightlife, with some of the most popular gay bars in the city a short 15-minute walk away.
The decor is grand and old-fashioned, themed to match the Art Deco surroundings of the French Concession. This may not appeal to lovers of contemporary design, but will delight anyone who enjoys the feel of a traditional luxury hotel with all the comforts of a modern one.
A lovely green park surrounds the hotel, giving an impression of remote serenity in the very heart of chaotic Shanghai. Beyond, the leafy avenues of the Concession make for some lovely daytime walks, while at night the area becomes Shanghai’s center of trendy, young, upmarket nightlife.
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2021.