Taipei Info/Tips?

[floridarob]

One of my best massages and full sex was in Taipei.... been a few years, doubt I'll remember the name of the place....

[gd85]

13 hours ago, Fetcher said:

I am going to Taipei 1st week of May.  Can you recommend the spas you went to for massage?   Any of them provide more than HJ?

 

 

I have one more today, will make it 5 different spas and masseurs. Will then reply with my top recommended spa(s) for those I tried. Yes, some provide more than HJ but it is dependent on the masseur and very much a YMMV situation like it is in most spa environments. You might be able to get more info on the likelihood from the person helping you schedule, but you usually have to be a little indirect in how you ask. 

[Fetcher]

13 hours ago, gd85 said:

I have one more today, will make it 5 different spas and masseurs. Will then reply with my top recommended spa(s) for those I tried. Yes, some provide more than HJ but it is dependent on the masseur and very much a YMMV situation like it is in most spa environments. You might be able to get more info on the likelihood from the person helping you schedule, but you usually have to be a little indirect in how you ask. 

Great.  Looking forward to your review lol

[hojacat]

On 4/21/2025 at 7:43 PM, PeterRS said:

Although @Tomtravel's post is almost 6 months old, it's perhaps useful to repeat that this hot spring is certainly the most popular with gay guys. I always go on my 3 or 4 annual visits. On my last in February, the steam in the steam room was permanently on, thereby making it very hot and quite difficult to indulge in any touching or more. This is not a sex venue but some of the guys there will happily chat in English and it can be a good way of arranging later hook-ups even if you do not speak Mandarin. Remember too that as this is a public hot spring, you may very occasionally see some guys bringing their little children. Then discretion is important.

Note that it is rarely called Emperor Spa. It's Chinese name is Huang Tzu as on this card -

If you have never been before, i do not recommend being adventurous the first time and trying to find your own way. I always take the subway to Shipai station. Once downstairs exit in the direction the train is taking. As soon as you pass the ticket barrier, on your right will be a taxi rank. Show the taxi this card and the driver will know exactly where to take you. He will stop at a small car park. You then just walk down the little hill past several other hot springs. Huang Tzu is the last on your left before you reach a little bridge across a stream.

The taxi fare is now around NT$180 (US$5.50). The rank can sometimes be empty, but usually one will appear within a few minutes. If you take one of the buses up the hill, depending on the time of day you might not find others getting off at your exit (bus fare is NT$30). So you could find yourself getting off way too early in which case you still have to climb a steep hill, or too late. The bus stop is outside the built-up area and pretty dark. I'd show the driver the card and expect he'll tell you when to get off. (I'm sure @Tomtravel is correct in pointing out the stop is Xingyi Rd. 4, but I have never done it!) There are several buses that go up past the springs, but the only one I have taken is #508 for returning.

Entrance fee was still NT$250 last February. Remember that you will need 2-NT$20 coins for the locker. Also remember to take a half litre or so of water with you as there is none for sale there and keep it out of your locker - and a small towel. Almost no one uses the towel in the hot spring area which is basically only naked bodies. It's for drying yourself off before you leave.

All the hot springs are in quite a deep valley off the main road. My biggest problem is always getting back up to that road in order to get the bus back down to the MRT station. At reception there is a telephone link to a cab company, but they do not speak any English. Finding a cruising cab is usually impossible. A couple of times, guys have kindly given me a lift on their motorcycles. Other times, I just bite the bullet and walk up. OK in the cooler November - April months; a real trial in summer! 

Can't wait for my next trip in 4 weeks.

Just take an Uber, at least on your way back. it's never more than 300NTD. According to my friend who goes there often, the best time to go is actually Thursday night, even more than on a weekend. I also would recommend another place called Shan Yue Hot Spring which is 2 minutes walk from XinBeitou station. I think it's popular with gays on Friday and Saturday nights. I went on a Friday night with a Taiwanese friend. Would suggest going around 8-8:30pm. Most of the action actually happens after 10 when the place doesn't accept new customers but the one already present can stay. It's more like an hotel with a man-made sauna but the crowd is really hot, like 90 percent all twinks and jocks between 20-35. I was the only westerner. Didn't play because we left around 9:30 but got the line of one guy which I met later at my hotel and also a guy I hit up later on Grindr told me that he had seen me there. It's not exclusively gay, but they are at least 3/4 of the customers in there.

[PeterRS]

17 minutes ago, hojacat said:

Just take an Uber, at least on your way back. it's never more than 300NTD. According to my friend who goes there often, the best time to go is actually Thursday night, even more than on a weekend. I also would recommend another place called Shan Yue Hot Spring which is 2 minutes walk from XinBeitou station. I think it's popular with gays on Friday and Saturday nights. I went on a Friday night with a Taiwanese friend. Would suggest going around 8-8:30pm. Most of the action actually happens after 10 when the place doesn't accept new customers but the one already present can stay. It's more like an hotel with a man-made sauna but the crowd is really hot, like 90 percent all twinks and jocks between 20-35. I was the only westerner. 

I hardly ever take taxis in Taipei and so do not have the Uber app. As one who is challenged when it comes to apps in foreign languages, is there an English version? Do I download it in Thailand or wait till I get to Taiwan?

Thank for the info on the Shan Yue Hot Spring. I'll certainly try it. At Huang Tzu I have found week-ends are definitely better - usually after 5:00pm. I have been also on Wednesdays and Thursdays but never as good. I am not after action - merely seeing lovely bodies and occasionally chatting! 

[Asian Antique]

11 hours ago, PeterRS said:

I hardly ever take taxis in Taipei and so do not have the Uber app. As one who is challenged when it comes to apps in foreign languages, is there an English version? Do I download it in Thailand or wait till I get to Taiwan?

Thank for the info on the Shan Yue Hot Spring. I'll certainly try it. At Huang Tzu I have found week-ends are definitely better - usually after 5:00pm. I have been also on Wednesdays and Thursdays but never as good. I am not after action - merely seeing lovely bodies and occasionally chatting! 

Thanks for the info about Shan Yue. Do you have an address or directions?

[vaughn]

1 hour ago, Asian Antique said:

Thanks for the info about Shan Yue. Do you have an address or directions?

I've just been googling, I haven't been there but i believe this is it (@hojacat can confirm?)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YdVBHYLLxBuzeZYf8

http://www.shan-yue.com/EN/home/Default.asp

[PeterRS]

15 hours ago, hojacat said:

I went on a Friday night with a Taiwanese friend. Would suggest going around 8-8:30pm.

Can you remember how much the entrance fee was? Friends have taken me to hot springs in some very posh hotels in that area. The hot springs were beautiful but I was so glad they paid and not me because they were very expensive. Sounds like Shan Yue will be cheaper but it will be useful to know before going.

2 hours ago, vaughn said:

I've just been googling, I haven't been there but i believe this is it (@hojacat can confirm?)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YdVBHYLLxBuzeZYf8

http://www.shan-yue.com/EN/home/Default.asp

Easy to locate on the google maps. Thanks

[hojacat]

On 4/26/2025 at 9:56 PM, PeterRS said:

Can you remember how much the entrance fee was? Friends have taken me to hot springs in some very posh hotels in that area. The hot springs were beautiful but I was so glad they paid and not me because they were very expensive. Sounds like Shan Yue will be cheaper but it will be useful to know before going.

Easy to locate on the google maps. Thanks

The address is: No. 17, Quanyuan Road, Beitou District, Taipei City, exit 1 of Xinbeitou MRT. I think the entrance fee was just 250, if I remember correctly.

On 4/26/2025 at 6:33 AM, PeterRS said:

I hardly ever take taxis in Taipei and so do not have the Uber app. As one who is challenged when it comes to apps in foreign languages, is there an English version? Do I download it in Thailand or wait till I get to Taiwan?

Of course it's an American company. You can download either in Thailand or Taiwan. it will use the same language as set up in your Google Play or iOS app store.

 

On 4/26/2025 at 6:33 AM, PeterRS said:

I have been also on Wednesdays and Thursdays but never as good.

That's what just my friend has told me. I've only been to emperor twice. I usually go to hot springs when I'm in Taiwan in January and/or March, other times is kinda too hot for me to go to a hot spring.

I'm usually a more "straight-to-the-point" type of a guy, so going to a place where I have to wonder if one is gay or not, if it's an appropriate time to touch him or not, ends up being annoying and even a bit boring. I know though that for a lot of people that's what all the thrill is about.

I much prefer going to an explicit gay sauna, which I only judge it by the size, age and quality of the crowd that attracts. it's true that same gay saunas have also good facilities, but that's more of an afterthought. Going to the right day and time on soi13 provides a high number of hot twink bodies which you can see, hear and feel right away.

If I'm going to a hot spring or spa to relax that the cleanliness and comfort of the facilities is the number one criteria and based on that there is much better both in Beitou and Taipei in general than Emperor, so I usually go to other ones.

[PeterRS]

Thanks for the information.

[brall3]

gd85, where did you stay?   It seems as if you had no problems receiving the guys to your room.  Thanks.

[hojacat]

On 5/11/2025 at 4:27 AM, brall3 said:

gd85, where did you stay?   It seems as if you had no problems receiving the guys to your room.  Thanks.

I never experienced a hotel in Taiwan where you even had to check in any of your guests, let alone not being allowed to have them in. In most of them you will have to pick up the guy at the lobby since key is required to access your floor, but other than no restrictions on who you can have in your room.

[vaughn]

A couple of brief updates from my recent visit.

Grindr is still full of potential, met up with a cute guy in Ximending, he was eager for more just about every day after. I was messaging him at about 8am and he asked me to come to him, it was a bit of a struggle to navigate the alley to find where he was but he came down and got me from outside eventually. Language barrier was a bit of a problem and it started a bit awkward as he just laid on his bed scrolling his phone in clothes, so i took the initiative and got things going and it turned out great. Cute guys in their 20s seem to be pretty eager for tops in Taipei.

I tried two of the massage places, Ximan Spa and Gay Spa.

Es Gay Spa https://www.esgayspa.design/

Ximan Spa https://www.ximanspa.com/ 

I went to Ximan first, my first option wasn't available but the reservation person on Line helped me select someone else, they communicated in English and explained the course option then confirmed the booking and location to meet. I liked this service the best, the shop was clean and some rooms are themed. Unfortunately the guy I got was pretty low effort, barely wanted to massage and wouldn't bottom.

Next I booked Gay Spa, again communication in english was fine and they were easy to make a booking with. I went to the meeting point and guess who showed up, the same guy as yesterday. This store had private rooms in building and less of a store environment, but the bathroom in my room was a bit dirty and I didn't like the environment as much. Well I accidentally selected the same guy, his photos were different on each site (XimanSpa was more accurate), he was again not the best and still wouldn't bottom so I left the appointment early after some light fun and didn't bother with the massage.

Price wise

120 min booking for Ximan was 2900NTD,

Gay Spa 120 min booking was 2400NTD.

I wish i had more time in Taipei to go back to Soi13, CommanderD, hot springs and try some more massage options, but plans didn't really work out. Taiwan reminded me that it has some incredibly hot guys around though, Ximending is so busy with tourists and I found other areas to be more enjoyable for restaurants and hot guy watching at Cafes. 

[vaughn]

Here's a list of massage places I discovered before my trip, I think most of them I picked up from someone's post on here.. but these all seem to be still active so i'll repost them.

 

https://www.gayspa.tw/  - Directory site

https://portaly.cc/C93SPA

https://www.esgayspa.design/ 

https://www.g-plusspa.com/ 

https://www.ximanspa.com/ 

https://nestspa.tw/ 

https://www.ssbspa.com.tw/ 

https://www.boy-gay-spa.com/ 

https://magicspa.com.tw/ 

https://aroomspa.mystrikingly.com/ 

https://glowspa520.wixsite.com/index 

[PeterRS]

2 hours ago, vaughn said:

1) Cute guys in their 20s seem to be pretty eager for tops in Taipei.

2) I wish i had more time in Taipei to go back to Soi13, CommanderD, hot springs and try some more massage options, but plans didn't really work out.

3) Taiwan reminded me that it has some incredibly hot guys around though, Ximending is so busy with tourists and I found other areas to be more enjoyable for restaurants and hot guy watching at Cafes. 

1) Can not agree with you more, as I have written here probably too many times!

2) Soi13 is well worth a visit. At certain times it can be completely packed with mostly young cute Taiwanese. Just be aware that foreigners now pay a much higher entry price than Taiwanese. I hear it may be as much as NT$1,000 (US$33) compared to NT$300 for locals. When I was there last it was NT$800. An alternative where the guys are generally a bit older, although some younger students also go there, is Hans Mens Sauna. This is a large new facility close to the Red House and it charges NT$400 for everyone. It is much larger than the old Hans and only about 200 meters up the road.

Remember too that Commander D has a completely dark room (pitch black!) and so make sure you do not take anything valuable in there. Not that I have heard of anyone being robbed (apart from their virginity  ) but better to be safe. I will be back in Taipei in early November and the hot spring Huang Tsu (card photo below) is always on my list. I believe it still attracts the gayest crowd in the area but as @hojacat points out in a recent post there is another hot spring named Shan Yue attracting gay guys. I will try to investigate.

3) Agree about Ximending and the Red House area. Great for cruising but most people seem to go there in groups to eat and drink. Not easy for spotting anyone looking for a meet up.

 

[floridarob]

2 hours ago, vaughn said:

Cute guys in their 20s seem to be pretty eager for tops in Taipei.

That’s not just Taipei… that’s called Planet Earth demographics 😝

[hojacat]

20 minutes ago, PeterRS said:

Soi13 is well worth a visit. At certain times it can be completely packed with mostly young cute Taiwanese. Just be aware that foreigners now pay a much higher entry price than Taiwanese. I hear it may be as much as NT$1,000 (US$33) compared to NT$300 for locals. When I was there last it was NT$800. An alternative where the guys are generally a bit older, although some younger students also go there, is Hans Mens Sauna. This is a large new facility close to the Red House and it charges NT$400 for everyone. It is much larger than the old Hans and only about 200 meters up the road.

Just to clarify, entry at Soi13 is technically 1000 NTD for everyone, but there's a discount period between 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM and I think again from 11:00 PM – 12:30 AM, where people with a Taiwanese ID only pay 300 NTD. Because of that, the place is usually pretty dead before 6 PM. The real peak hits around 7 PM—it gets quite crowded then—but by 9 PM, people start leaving, and it quiets down fast. Even though there's a late-night discount, I’ve noticed it doesn’t really draw a big crowd.

Before COVID, entry was just 600 NTD. After Taiwan reopened, they bumped it up to 800 NTD. I went during Pride last year and it was 1000 NTD. Thought maybe it was a Pride weekend thing, but I went back again in January and April, and it was still 1000. That pretty much makes Soi13 the second most expensive sauna in Asia, right behind Hutong in Hong Kong (258 HKD). It's actually more expensive than Kaikan in Tokyo, Daikichi in Osaka, or even KeyBox in Singapore.

As a foreigner, the only way to pay less is to buy coupon tickets—10 for 6000 NTD. . I'm not sure if they all have to be used within one year. You can also try to buy a single ticket from a friend; they’ll still accept it even if you’re not local.

Honestly, it feels like Soi13 is capitalizing on not having a real competitor right now. Kind of ironic considering they originally started out as the cheaper alternative to Aniki, which at the time of closing was also charging 1000 NTD. The pricing system now makes it only really "worth it" during that small discounted window, which means I’m super time-conscious when I’m with a guy there—if you spend too long with one guy, the place might be dead by the time you're free again.

Silver lining: by 9:30 PM you know it’s probably not worth staying, so if I’m not satisfied, I’ll usually just head over to Commander D or The Hunt. Honestly, Soi13 needs a better promo system if they want to attract younger guys. For example, Hutong only charges guys under 25 40 HKD, and on Mondays they get in free.

[vaughn]

Soi13 is definitely a fun experience, I went there on my last trip and had a nice time, it had a pretty bustling crowd of mixed ages that time. I think it was my first ever Sauna experience, if i remember correctly.

Taichung has a new sauna also that looks interesting too, it's called BodyFresh in Xitun district. It was another of my plans that unfortunately didn't come to fruition this trip.

I hope to get back to Taiwan next year, I've got a busy schedule for the next 6 months, then Japan for their spring, so hopefully after that it will be time to get back to some Taiwanese action  

[vaughn]

2 hours ago, PeterRS said:

 

Remember too that Commander D has a completely dark room (pitch black!) and so make sure you do not take anything valuable in there. Not that I have heard of anyone being robbed (apart from their virginity  ) but better to be safe. I will be back in Taipei in early November and the hot spring Huang Tsu (card photo below) is always on my list. I believe it still attracts the gayest crowd in the area but as @hojacat points out in a recent post there is another hot spring named Shan Yue attracting gay guys. I will try to investigate.

3) Agree about Ximending and the Red House area. Great for cruising but most people seem to go there in groups to eat and drink. Not easy for spotting anyone looking for a meet up

 

The dark room was the main reason I want to see CD, apparently it has some really fun theme nights leaning into it's BDSM concept too. I walked through Red House area a few times, but mostly early evening on my way to/from places and it hadn't picked up yet. 

I'm not sure I would have survived hot springs in the 35+ degree temperatures, if I had a longer time there I would have still suffered through it just to try it out.

I hope you have a good trip for November, should be much more suitable hot spring weather!