Attractions of Taiwan

T R AV E L

Exploring Taiwan: Asia’s Most LGBTQ+ Friendly Destination

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARK CHESNUT

It may not be Asia’s highest-prole vacation destination, but for LGBTQ+ travelers, Taiwan is an oasis of acceptance as well as a fascinating place to explore. With its blend of ancient traditions and decidedly 21st-century attitude, this island never fails to impress.

Located in the western Pacific Ocean about 100 miles from the coast of southeastern China, Taiwan is a self-governing island that measures about 245 by 90 miles. Also known as the Republic of China, the island maintains an often tense relationship with mainland China. But for LGBTQ+ travelers, there’s a lot to love.

In 2019, Taiwan became the first — and only — destination in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, and in 2023, full joint adoption for same-sex couples was approved. To see just how welcoming the island can be, my husband and I spent two weeks exploring, timing our visit to coincide with yet another example of the island’s inclusivity: Taiwan Pride, which claims to be Asia’s largest pride celebration.

Taking place on the last Saturday of October in the capital city of Taipei, Taiwan Pride attracted around 175,000 participants in 2023. The biggest component is a massive parade, complemented by a festival with live entertainment and more than 120 vendors and exhibitors. The Ximen district, the city’s most popular neighborhood with LGBTQ+ locals and visitors, also becomes especially festive during this time of year.

Even if you can’t visit during Taiwan Pride, there are still plenty of reasons to plan a vacation in Taiwan. In addition, the island’s well-designed transportation system makes multi-destination travel easy, thanks to the sleek Taiwan

High Speed Rail (THSR). Here are some of my top finds in three of the biggest cities.

What to Do in Taipei

As Taiwan’s capital and primary gateway for international visitors, Taipei is the island’s cultural and economic hub. For an awe-inspiring introduction to the sprawling metropolis, ride an elevator to the sky-high observation decks at Taipei 101 (No.45, City Hall Rd., Xinyi District), a 1,667-foot skyscraper that was the world’s tallest building when it opened in 2004.

Additional must-see attractions in Taipei include the National Palace Museum (No. 221, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District), which has one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese art, and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (No.21, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng District, which is dedicated to the memory of former president Chiang Kai-shek. Lungshan Temple (No. 211 Guangzhou St., Wanhua District), a beautifully

ornate temple complex built in the mid 1700s, is another noteworthy site.

After dark, the city’s legendary night markets come to life, offering countless opportunities to shop and sample inexpensive local cuisine (including daringly named items like stinky tofu). The Ximen Market is one of the most popular, especially among LGBTQ+ travelers, since it’s located in the neighborhood with the highest concentration of queer bars, shopping and dining.

Indeed, you could easily spend a lot of time in Ximen. A variety of open-air LGBTQ+ bars are spread around the Red House (No. 10 Chengdu Rd., Wanhua District), a historic building that dates to 1908 and now houses interesting shops and exhibits.

Additional LGBTQ+ nightlife options include Locker Room (No. 34 Neijang St., Wanhua District), which attracts all genders with its lively drag and go-go boy performances, and Commander D (No. 36, Section 2), which attracts a

mostly male clientele with its basement bar vibe and backroom. Many gay men also head to the Emperor Spa (No.42-1, Ln 402, Xingyi Road, Beitou District), one of several hot springs facilities tucked into the hills just outside the city. While not specifically LGBTQ+, it attracts a largely gay male clientele.

Accommodations in Taipei: We stayed at Hotel Resonance (No. 7 Linsen S. Rd, Happy Village), the rst Tapestry Collection by Hilton property in the Asia Pacific region. This stylish hotel, which opened in 2020, features amenities like a free minibar and free laundry room. We also stayed at Hotel Cho (No. 119 Kunming St., Wanhua District), which exudes a vintage vibe near the Ximen district nightlife and shopping.

Architectural Wonders in Kaohsiung

Fans of art, architecture and culture should consider a visit to Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s third-largest city. Its magnificent waterfront is graced with

eye-catching architectural landmarks, including the Pier-2 Art Center (No. 1, Dayong Rd, Yancheng District), a group of former shipping warehouses that have been repurposed to house shops, art studios, bars and restaurants. Nearby, a short ferry ride whisks visitors to Cijin Island, where they can stroll the beach, rent a fancifully decorated electric cart and walk through the Tunnel of Stars, an illuminated passageway that leads to a lovely ocean view.

Also topping the list of attractions in Kaohsiung is Lotus Pond, a body of water that’s dotted with uniquely colorful religious sites, including the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, the Zuoying Yuandi Temple and Spring and Autumn Pavilions. On the outskirts of the city, Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (No. 1 Tongling Rd, Dashu District), the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan, which is home to the tallest bronze sitting Buddha statue in Asia.

When transiting the city via the Kaohsiung Metro (also called the KRTC), be sure to stop at the Formosa Boulevard Station, which often ranks in listings of the world’s most beautiful subway stations. Its main focal point is the Dome of Light, a colorful work by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata that tourism officials describe as the largest illuminated glass dome in the world.

Accommodations in Kaohsiung: We stayed at Hotel Indigo Kaohsiung Central Park (No. 4 Zhongshan 1st Rd., Xinxing District), an attractive property with a great rooftop bar. On the higher end is the InterContinental Kaohsiung (No. 33 Singuang Rd, Qianzhen District).

Engaging History in Tainan

Taiwan’s oldest city, Tainan was founded in 1624. Top historic sites include the Anping Fort (No. 82, Guosheng Rd.), which was built between 1624 and 1634 by the Dutch East India Company, the Anping Tree House, a former warehouse now overgrown with Banyan trees, and the Anping

Guanyin Temple, which was built in 1590 and predates the founding of the city.

Several noteworthy attractions are in the West Central District, including Chihkan Tower (No. 212, Section 2, Minzu Rd.), built in 1652 by the Dutch, the Tainan Confucius Temple (No. 2 Nanmen Rd., West Central District), which dates to 1666, and the Tainan Art Museum (West Central District).

While there are plenty of LGBTQ+-friendly bars in Tainan, there’s only one speci cally gay bar: R9 (No. 732, Section 1, Ximen Rd, West Central District), a small-but-comfy place that features karaoke.

Accommodations in Tainan: We stayed at Hotel Hua (No. 218, Section 3, Jinhua Rd, West Central District), a reasonably priced and comfortable hotel that’s located a few minutes by Uber from major attractions. For a more upscale experience, consider the Shangri-La Far Eastern, Tainan (89 Section West, University Rd.).

MARK CHESNUT is a New York Citybased writer, editor, and public speaker. The winner of the 2019 NLGJA Excellence in Travel Writing Award, he’s the author of the new memoir “Prepare for Departure: Notes on a Single Mother, a Misfit Son, Inevitable Mortality and the Enduring Allure of Frequent Flyer Miles” (Vine Leaves Press, 2022). His travel writing has appeared in media including Fodor’s, Forbes Travel Guide, Hu Post, the Miami Herald, his blog LatinFlyer.com and the New York Times bestseller “1,000 Places to See Before You Die.”