City, China
Is Shanghai LGBTQ+ friendly?
Is Shanghai LGBTQ+ friendly?
Most visible gay scene in China, but marriage is unrecognised and the former Shanghai Pride closed in 2020. Venues stay low-key.
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 Shanghai
Where to go
- Former French Concession bars
- Xuhui venues
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 Shanghai safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?
Most visible gay scene in China, but marriage is unrecognised and the former Shanghai Pride closed in 2020. Venues stay low-key.
Is same-sex marriage legal in China?
No.
Where are the LGBTQ+ areas in Shanghai?
Former French Concession bars; Xuhui venues
More about Shanghai
Going to Shanghai solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Shanghai meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- ILGA World: legal frameworks
- National Immigration Administration
- NIA online arrival card
- Shanghai Metro
- Shanghai 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.