Taiwan for LGBTQ+: The Pride Guide

Taiwan did something the rest of Asia hadn’t dared to: on 24 May 2019 it became the first country on the continent to recognise same-sex marriage. It didn’t stay a statement on paper. In the big cities this is a society that lives equality day to day. For LGBTQ+ travellers from Israel, Taiwan is one of the most relaxed and open destinations within a flight’s reach.

Why here

The recognition of marriage didn’t fall from the sky. It followed years of activism, a constitutional court ruling, and a vote in parliament. The result is a public atmosphere unusually open for the region: public displays of affection in the big cities are routine, and local brands fly rainbow flags in October without hesitation.

That doesn’t mean Taiwan is uniform: in small towns and villages the attitude is more conservative, simply because the subject is less present in daily life. But even there, the acceptance of and respect for travellers is very high.

The biggest Pride march in Asia

On the last Saturday of October, Taipei hosts the biggest Pride march on the continent, hundreds of thousands of people painting the city centre. It started in 2003 with a few hundred participants, and today it draws travellers from across Asia.

If you’d like to build the trip around it, it’s worth knowing this is also a comfortable weather season, see when to go. Just book lodging ahead: the Pride weekend is one of the busiest of the year in the city.

The queer neighbourhood: the Red House and Ximending

The heart of Taipei’s LGBTQ nightlife is the Red House in the Ximending district. The building itself is a historic theatre from 1908, but the square behind it is the draw: dozens of queer bars and cafés, tables spilling outside, and a relaxed atmosphere that warms up as the evening goes on.

Ximending itself is Taipei’s youth and fashion quarter, a pedestrian area full of shops, street food, and neon signs. By day it’s a great place to wander, and in the evening it becomes the natural meeting point.

Safety: short and clear

Safety in Taiwan is high for every traveller, and that includes same-sex couples. Holding hands on the street in Taipei or Kaohsiung doesn’t draw looks. Booking a double room with one bed, no explanation and no awkwardness, in any hotel. For a wider view of the situation see safety in Taiwan.

A hot-springs tip

Taiwan sits on an abundance of hot springs, and one of the favourite trips is a soak at Beitou in northern Taipei. Just note one detail:

A short romantic route from Taipei

If you fancy escaping the city for a few days, there’s a beautiful combination nearby: the marble gorge of Taroko with its turquoise water, the red-lantern village of Jiufen that feels like something out of an anime, and a finish soaking in the springs of Beitou. A mix of dramatic nature, atmosphere, and quiet.

Driving in the mountains around Taroko is confusing and the bus schedules will eat half a day, so booking a private driver for a day trip is a real upgrade to the freedom and the comfort. You can check a day trip to Jiufen and Taroko. For full day-by-day planning see the itineraries.

Before you go

Taiwan asks no special preparation of LGBTQ+ travellers beyond a regular trip, and that’s exactly the beauty of it. Pack by when to go, sort out a visa and SIM card, and the rest is simply a good trip in an open, welcoming destination.

Back to the main guide or to Taipei.