Tranquil, yet trendy, the capital of Taiwan, Taipei is an alluring blend of Chinese, Southeast Asian, Japanese, and American cultures. This 300-year-old city is akin to a living museum; think Japanese-era mansions, Taoist temples, and delectable fusion cuisine. However, you’ll be most surprised to know that Taipei, staid as it might seem, is one of…
When you hear of Siem Reap, the first thing that comes to mind is Angkor Wat. The former dingy town is the epicenter of chic Cambodia today and is an emerging gay hotspot. Surprised? The tolerant Buddhist culture helped the foreigner-led gay scene thrive. Did you know also know that traditional Khmer culture recognizes non-binary…
Sensational Seminyak seems like an island destination of its own, despite overlooking the Bali Sea just north of Kuta. Whether it’s world-class shopping or dining at superb restaurants, the town presents you with scores of opportunities. Seminyak also happens to be the gay hub of Bali, which itself is quite a welcoming island towards LGBTQ…
There’s no place like Thailand to indulge in one’s guilty pleasures, and Phuket is one of the top destinations for hedonistic fun in the country. Home to fabulous beaches, a whole lot of fun activities, Phuket is home to one of Thailand’s liveliest gay scenes and is a top destination for LGBTQ travelers. There are innumerable…
Even without the magnificent Angkor Wat, Cambodia makes for an amazing travel destination in its own right. The same goes for its mesmerizing capital Phnom Penh on the banks of the mighty Mekong River. The sprawling city is ground zero for ancient history, natural wonders, and a bevy of exotic and opulent architecture. Complementing that…
Pattaya is eye-popping sensory overload, but the good kind. The wildest of all of Thailand’s islands, it’s a touristy, multi-cultural tropical paradise. What’s more, Pattaya is famed for its cheap luxury, epic nightlife, and gorgeous boys. So, its repute as a sex capital is completely deserved and it makes for a sensational LGBTQ beach destination.…
Mumbai is known by many monikers – City of Dreams, City of Illusions, Maximum City, and rightly so. It brims with manic energy and is bursting with awe-inspiring architecture, history, and cuisines. Moreover, it’s also India’s financial powerhouse and the birthplace of the famed ‘Bollywood.’ So, it’s no surprise that Mumbai has a cosmopolitan vibe…
Kaleidoscopic Kyoto lies at the southern end of Lake Biwa, just 50 minutes from Osaka. The cultural and former historic capital of Japan, Kyoto reminds you of Japan’s glorious past. So, you’ll see everything from Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples to imperial palaces, gardens, and traditional houses. Also, it’s home to the geisha culture, vibrant…
Malaysia’s sultry capital Kuala Lumpur is a feast for the senses. The sprawling city is a cultural melting pot for the confluence of the Indian, Chinese, Islamic, and Malay cultures. As amazing a destination as it is, Kuala Lumpur, or KL, also has the country’s biggest yet discreet gay scene. Officially, Malaysia isn’t exactly what…
Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, is India’s third-largest city and whose origins go back almost 400 years. India’s cultural and intellectual capital also happens to be one of the first Indian cities to have organized gay parties! Despite Kolkata remaining largely conservative, the city is home to a large gay population that blends in at mixed nightclubs,…
Koh Samui in Thailand has all the ideal ingredients for the perfect retreat – soft, white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters sparkling in all shades of blue, and a sun-kissed atmosphere. The wild island sits off Thailand’s eastern coast in the Gulf of Thailand. Whether you want to feast on delicious Thai cuisine, retreat to a wellness…
The gorgeous Koh Phangan sits in the Gulf of Thailand, just north of Koh Samui. It’s the birthplace of Thailand’s original and wildly famous Full Moon Party. However, the island celebrates and hosts some or the other party on most days of the year. Albeit small, the gay scene in Koh Phangan is fast-growing, keeping…
Magical, mystique, and integration of faiths abound in Jerusalem, Israel, one of the world’s most ancient cities. It lies around an hour southeast of the cultural capital Tel Aviv, and its Old City is holy to Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike. So, you can imagine our surprise when we found Jerusalem to be a very…
If the color pink had a home, then Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur would be it. Before King Edward VII’s visit in 1876, the entire city was given a fresh coat of pink paint. Close to 150 years later, Jaipur still preserves that rosy glow. At its heart sits the magnificent city palace, which continues to be…
Hyderabad has one of the most polarizing skylines in India. On the one hand, Old City is home to winding spice bazaars and architectural marvels. On the other hand, we have ‘Cyberabad,’ a.k.a. HITEC City, its snazzy cousin brimming with pubs, restaurants, and malls. Given India’s traditional outlook, you might be surprised that Hyderabad is…
Hong Kong boasts of a glorious harbor, lush neighborhoods, and one of the most iconic glass-and-steel skylines in the world. And even though it doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages, Hong Kong’s denizens are extremely supportive of LGBTQ+ rights. Over the decades, Hong Kong has become a modern, tolerant city with an accepting attitude towards LGBTQ people.…
Hanoi on the banks of the Red River is swathed in layers of French and Chinese history. The Vietnamese capital might be 1000 years old, but don’t let its historical air fool you. For, you’ll also find a modern city with art, eateries, chic cafes, and one dynamic nightlife. Likewise, get off its streets clogged…
Decadent, dazzling, dynamic – these aptly sum up the gilded desert oasis city of Dubai. This city’s glass, gold, and steel splendor and deep-rooted traditions make for striking alchemy. As multi-culturally diverse Dubai is, it still has harsh anti-gay laws. That being said, Dubai is still something of a gay Mecca in the Middle East…
India’s capital New Delhi, or just Delhi, is like an assault on the senses – but the good kind. Whether it’s the winding, vibrant lanes of Old Delhi, the delectable street food, or its eons-old architecture, Delhi is one enthralling destination. It’s also considered a forthright “pink” destination in a deeply conservative country where LGBTQ…
The cultural capital of northern Thailand Chiang Mai is an enchanting and tranquil destination. The innately Thai city feels much like a big village, whether its the winding bylanes, the gorgeous temples, or the elephant safaris. Chiang Mai also happens to be gay-friendly, just like Thailand’s capital Bangkok. While Chiang Mai’s gay scene isn’t as…
Bangkok’s reputation as a gay-friendly destination goes beyond the smattering of gay-friendly clubs and bars in the city. With the number of gays traveling to Bangkok being on the rise, it has led to the presence of a lot of gay friendly hotels in Bangkok. For gay travelers on a budget, there are many gay…
Bahrain is perhaps one of the most scintillating countries in the Middle East. Home to a burgeoning food and art scene, the country even has its own Formula 1 Grand Prix! What’s more, Bahrain is often considered one of the more tolerant of the Gulf States, especially when compared to its neighbor Saudi Arabia. So…
Perched on the banks of the Iset River smack dab in the middle of Eurasia, Yekaterinburg—or Ekaterinburg— is one of Russia’s biggest and most populous cities. It lies on the eastern slope of the Middle Urals, roughly 1,500 km east of Moscow. The city has been called the Window to Asia and travelers can say…
Located in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is an incredibly exotic and unbelievably exciting country to visit, known for its wild jungles, beaches, rivers, floating markets, Buddhist pagodas, historical ruins, and bustling cities. Vietnam deserves to be on every traveler’s hit list. The list below of the Top 10 Things to Do In Vietnam will take you…