Taipei, a high-tech industrial area, is the capital city of Taiwan and a special municipality of the Republic of China. It sits at the northern tip of the country, with most of the city located on the Taipei Basin. The city proper has a population of about 2.7 million with an area of 272 square km or 105 square miles. Taipei is also the largest city in Taiwan and one of the most populated urban areas.
Taipei was founded in the early 18th century by the Chinese immigrants from the mainland and it became an important overseas trade center in the 19th century. The Chinese government made it an entity in 1875 and then proclaimed a province of China in 1886. From then, Taipei continued its way in becoming a contemporary city with its notable building projects. The city is known for Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Park, Shilin Night Market, and the ancient Longshan Temple.
There is no specific red light district in Taipei, but Linsen North Road is the closest thing the city has to offer. The area has numerous bars that feature small KTV rooms. Most of the venues have bar girls who usually accompany predominantly male guests in drinking, singing, and other activities, depending on what the establishment can offer. Some places do offer extra services, but these are technically illegal.
Wan-Hua also used to be the red light district city of Taipei, with sex workers soliciting customers every day. It always had a thriving sex trade, but the government-regulated red light parlors were abolished in the 1990s. Some brothels, however, are still operating illicitly. The sex trade in the area is offered by hostesses in unlicensed parlors and lounges. These venues are called “A-gong diam,” which are a part of the cultural nightlife of Wan-Hua. With complaints from some residents and merchants, however, the police carry out spot-checks in the area.
Beitou was also a renowned red light district and used to be a place where men could soak in the hot springs and eat delicious meals while also being entertained by female workers. The government, however, cleaned up the area in the late 1980s. Today, Beitou is now a major tourist attraction known for its hot springs, lush green environment, and historical sites.
History of the RLD
During the Japanese colonial era, Beitou was developed into a hot springs resort. In the first half of the 20th century or the time when Japan used to control Taiwan, the area around Beitou Parks became one of the largest spas in Asia. The place was also filled with music halls, taverns, and houses for ill repute.
In the time of Vietnam War, American soldiers turned the place into a notorious red light district, but after the country banned the prostitution in the late 1970s, the area became inactive for a while. The government is now restoring the Beitou Park, which is focused on serving a different kind of client from what it used to have.
How to Reach Taipei
Taipei has an extensive public transport system, making it easy to go around the city. There is the Taipei Metro (MRT) or the subway, which makes transportation a breeze. The Metropolitan Rapid Transit covers most the areas in the city and is usually the best option for transport. Tourists can reach the Linsen North Road and Beitou through the subway or the MRT.
There is also the Taipei Joint Bus System, serving other areas not covered by the metro, with its extensive city bus system. Those who ride the city metro system can use an EasyCard for cheaper fares. There are also metered taxis in the area, operating 24 hours a day. Many of the bus drivers, however, do not understand English, so it is best for the tourists to have their destination written down in Chinese.
Safety Information
Taipei is a relatively safe city. Those who will walk on the road between Nanjing E. and Changan E. should expect to see people offering services. People can loiter around the area after 10:00 p.m., and it will still be bustling with lights. Taipei is like a little New York City, and people in the city are hospitable.
The sex trade in Taipei is widely tolerated behind closed doors. In fact, the brothels in the city are sometimes disguised as massage parlors or nightclubs. There are also prostitutes in the streets, with some locals noting that sex workers grab male customers from the pedestrian and offer adult services.
Tourists who stroll in narrow alleys near Huaxi Street Night Market can spot some lone girls. It is common for these workers to initiate an approach in soliciting their business. Girls usually lead the way, taking customers to the brothels while also giving them a chance to choose a girl they like.
It is also possible to take a girl home, but this option is much more expensive. Strips bars in Taipei, furthermore, are not predominant, so most of them operate in KTV-like rooms. It is a lot easier to get into places like these when a regular customer accompanies a new customer.
Adult Cinemas
Resources suggest that there is just one theater in Taipei that show erotic movies. Pornography, of course, is a lot more common on the Internet. In terms of adult entertainment, Tokyo MTV, an adult entertainment center operated by the biggest AV producer in Japan, has recently opened in Taipei. This is located in Nanyang Street.
Street Prostitution
Picking up girls in the street is not always a major issue as sex workers are becoming more daring in getting customers. Many use the method known as la ke (拉客), which means “pulling the customers.” In pursuit of clients, sex workers grab the customers, pull them to brothels, and offer discounted services. Street prostitutes with this tactic are found in Wan-Hua district.
Other Information
Taipei also offers saunas and massage parlors, perfect for clients who want a relaxing experience in a friendly atmosphere.
Men can visit commercial establishments that offer different kinds of erotic entertainment. Many of the sex clubs in the city assume the identity of teahouses, cafés, bars, hotels, and dance halls. Some barbershops, KTV salons, and massage parlors also offer adult and erotic entertainment; barbershops that aren’t marketed as “health centers” are likely to offer extra services. Prices, of course, will vary depending on the area and the service offered.
Strip Clubs
Strip bars are illegal in Taipei, so many KTV-like rooms double as strip bars. The fee, which includes liquor and food can be expensive, ranging from NT$4,500 to NT$6,000. It is possible to get a discount if new customers go with regular ones. Those who want to get to a strip club need to search for it. Some even drive an hour or so away from the city center. Some recommend Taichung, which offers strip clubs and lady KTVs with booths.
Swinger Clubs
Swinger clubs in Taipei are not really advertised, but sex contact pages are available in city directories. Those who can contact local site members have greater chances of hooking up with others. It is a lot more convenient for couples living in Taipei to meet-up and hook up. Members of those who engage in casual adult fun are discreet, so the identity of the new members will always be safe.
Under the Article 80 of the Social Order and Maintenance Act 1991, prostitution in Taiwan is illegal, and so are pimping and brothel ownership. Sex workers can be jailed for 3 days maximum, sent to a correctional institution for 6 to 12 months or fined for up to NT$30,000.
Article 80 is currently being considered for reform after the Constitutional Court declared that it is in violation of the Constitution. In 2009, a bill that aims to decriminalize sex work was introduced, but no local government is willing to designate prostitution areas in their districts for the fear of increasing the crime rate and lowering the real estate values of these areas. Experts say that the country will need to have a nearly impossible social change before the people can finally accept a commercial sex zone in Taiwan.
Specific Laws for Gays
The LGBT rights in the country has been considered the most progressive in Asia. Same-sex sexual activities are legal. On June 17, 2015, Taipei became Taiwan’s second city to recognize same-sex relationships. However, couples and houses headed by gay couples are not entitled to legal protection available to opposite-sex couples. Gay marriage advocates are proposing that the city governments must entitle same-sex partners the benefits and rights of civil servant spouses.
The country also banned the discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment and education. The LGBT Pride in Taiwan, which is the largest Pride parade in the continent, makes the country one of the most liberal locations in Asia.
Taipei is filled with areas perfect for a fun and exciting nightlife. Bars close late and the city comes alive with bars, lounges, disco, and night markets. There is no shortage of restaurants in the metropolis, and everyone can find the cuisine they want.
Taipei is also a great place for shopping, with Shilin night market as a popular destination for tourists and locals. There is also the Shida night market, which is a much trendier area. It features clothing stores that offer more contemporary and stylish apparel.
Taipei has a more vibrant gay scene than many cities in Asia. The city boasts of gay hot springs, cruise gay beaches, swinging saunas, and wild parties. There are also native Taiwanese men with rugged and hirsute physiques that appeal to many clients. The good weather and sumptuous foods in the city add to its vibrancy, while also offering the sexiest social experiences.
The city, furthermore, is famous for large-scale circuit parties, which take place on public bank holidays. These attract visitors from other countries such as Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. These events are sold out immediately, and hotels in Taipei can be fully booked in advance for weeks.
Taipei also hosts the largest gay pride festival in Asia. This event is both lively and fun, with over 60,000 participants.
General Attitude Towards Gays
Many Asian countries don’t acknowledge gay rights, with some of the nation implementing strict laws that criminalize gay relationships. Some even punish gays for jail-terms or booth camp to reshape the boys’ behavior. In Taiwan, however, it is a completely different scene. It is way ahead of other nations in Asia, becoming a beacon for liberal political activism across the continent. Gay and lesbian soldiers can serve in the military, and the Ministry of Education also requires a textbook to promote tolerance for gays and lesbians.
Sex Clubs for Gays
There are several sex clubs for gay clients in Taipei. These are available in the form of nightclubs, all-male massage spas, and gay saunas.
Dance Clubs for Gays
The best gay bars in the city are located in or near The Red House complex in Ximen. This octagonal building in Wan Hua district is accessible via the Exit 6 of the Ximen MRT Station.
Other Gay Dance Clubs worth mentioning:
Gay Prostitution
The main gay district in the city is located in the Red House, which is an outdoor complex with bars, shops, and restaurants. Bars can be found on the ground and usually have large terraces. This makes it ideal for watching men walk by throughout the day and night.
Ximen in Red House is the largest gay neighbourhood in the city, with more than two dozens of gay venues such as shops, bars, saunas, hotels, and restaurants. There are also gay venues around the city, particularly in the Zhongshan area.
Transsexual Prostitution
It is a lot easier to find transsexual prostitutes and services on the Internet. Many sex workers post sexy escort ads online, along with their photos and contact numbers, so the customers can contact them and arrange a meetup. Such escorts can also be the client’s companion for the night in the city or the one who can fulfill a fantasy.
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