Capital city, China
Is Beijing LGBTQ+ friendly?
Is Beijing LGBTQ+ friendly?
Legal but discreet; same-sex marriage is not recognised. Gay bars exist in Sanlitun and Gulou, but LGBTQ+ groups and events are often shut down.
LGBTQ+ laws in China
Low-key tolerance in big cities, with gay bars in Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, but LGBTQ+ groups and Pride events have been shut down.
| Status | |
|---|---|
| Same-sex relationships legal | Yes |
| Same-sex marriage | No |
| Civil unions or partnerships | No |
| Legal gender change | Yes |
| Anti-discrimination law | No |
The scene in Beijing
Where to go
- Gulou area bars
LGBTQ+ friendliness across China
| Place | Rating |
|---|---|
| Beijing | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Shanghai | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Xi'an | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Chengdu | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Guilin | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Chongqing | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Shenzhen | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Guangzhou | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Hangzhou | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Zhangjiajie | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Yangshuo | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Lijiang | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Suzhou | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Harbin | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Sanya | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Xiamen | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Dali | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Huangshan | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Kunming | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Qingdao | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Nanjing | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Shangri-La | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Jiuzhaigou | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Changsha | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Pingyao | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Dunhuang | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Wuhan | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Tianjin | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Lhasa | 2/5 · Hostile |
| Kashgar | 2/5 · Hostile |
Quick answers
Is Beijing safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?
Legal but discreet; same-sex marriage is not recognised. Gay bars exist in Sanlitun and Gulou, but LGBTQ+ groups and events are often shut down.
Is same-sex marriage legal in China?
No.
Where are the LGBTQ+ areas in Beijing?
Gulou area bars
More about Beijing
Going to Beijing solo?
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Sources
- ILGA World: legal frameworks
- National Immigration Administration
- NIA online arrival card
- China Railway 12306
- Beijing United Family Hospital
Ratings combine national law with local attitudes and the scene. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.