Despite all the media exposure given to China, it is still something of an exotic place for a gaycation. It shouldn’t be; Beijing is one of the most exciting cities on the planet, and though the gay scene is nothing like Berlin or San Francisco, the fact that there is a gay scene at all comes as a surprise to many of us who have the impression that China is all work and no play. Nothing could be further from the truth! Chinese people are among the friendliest in the world and have a good sense of humour; they appreciate subtlety and ‘get it’ when sarcasm is used. Lucky us.
It may come as a shock to know that China actually has gay bars, clubs, discos, and spas exclusively for men; there are thriving lesbian scenes, too. Destination, the only full-time gay club in Beijing, is THE place to go on a Saturday night, when boys to men are out on the town in party mode in the club’s many rooms and on the dance floor. Perhaps they are still in a good mood from the previous Thursday, when the nights are very social at The Opposite House’s Mesh Bar, where the young and beautiful, both Chinese and international, come for a drink and a wink in an attitude-free zone where the vibe is buzzing.
Mesh has become a hotspot for the ‘Beautiful People’ of Beijing, and from the looks of the faces and curves of other places seen last week, they are Beautiful, indeed. Unlike the pretension dished out with the peanuts at bars in many other cities, the mood at Mesh is friendly and welcoming, and saying hello to someone standing alone in the corner does not mean you want to go to bed with him, it just means you are giving yourself the chance to know someone new. One thing’s for sure; foreign residents of Beijing are anything but boring and it seems they’re all doing something interesting, whether studying Mandarin, teaching calculus, or designing retail spaces showing off the Chanel.
The Opposite House is a small, chic hotel which also happens to be one of the hippest social gathering places in town. Japanese starchitect Kengo Kuma juxtaposes natural materials such as wood, stone, and space with Asian sensibility for art and design. A member of Preferred Hotels, The Opposite House is thoroughly modern, yet it shelters a bit of history under its soaring ceiling. In traditional Beijing courtyard homes, there was always a guesthouse within the walled enclosure to north of the main house; this was known as the opposite house, which is the perfect name for this outstanding property to the north of the courtyard formed by the surrounding structures in the Village at Sanlitun, Beijing’s latest destination for ultracool shoppers and diners.
There is enough in Beijing to keep visitors busy for weeks. In fact, there is enough for a lifetime; don’t be surprised by the number of Westerners who have made Beijing their home. Where to start? The Forbidden City, of course. Bigger than a porn star and very impressive, this private city within a city was the home of Chinese emperors for nearly five hundred years and now houses The Palace Museum. The many temples around town are quite interesting; my favourite is Dongyue Temple, where hundreds of grotesque statues meant to protect us in the afterlife loom in displays along the courtyard perimeter; some of the faces are scarier than an online hook-up who doesn’t quite look like his profile page. And let’s not forget that from Beijing, The Great Wall Of China is an easy daytrip.
The many of us interested in the arts and shopping must visit the enormous Pan Jia Yuan Market, where all sorts of items from silly trinkets to valuable works of art are sold in a lively atmosphere. The arts in China are very well respected and have played an important role in Chinese history; the various stone carvings, calligraphy brushes, ink drawings, and gorgeous furniture are witness to the continued appreciation of traditional arts in modern culture. Professional dealers are here at 4:30 in the morning, flashlights in hand, to get a jump on their competitors to find the best items early. Why not join them directly from Destination on a Sunday morning?
To reach Beijing from Perth, fly Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong and connect to its excellent affiliate, Dragonair, which offers outstanding service to more than twenty cities in China and many HK-Beijing flights every day. For splurgers, Dragonair’s Business Class is among the best in the air. The Cathay/Dragonair combination allows you to check bags and yourself all the way through to Beijing’s Capital Airport, where The Opposite House’s resident Maserati can pick you up and whisk you in style into China’s very happening capital.
text and images by Robert La Bua
MORE INFORMATION
http://english.visitbeijing.com.cn
www.dragonair.com
www.cathaypacific.com
www.utopia-asia.com/chinbeij.htm
www.fridae.com
www.bjdestination.com
www.theoppositehouse.com
www.preferredhotels.com
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