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 Shanghai is generally acknowledged as the gay capital of China, but visitors to the Beijing Olympics will find there are also gay attractions in the nation's capital.
Once upon a time in China, homosexuality was referred to "the passion of the cut sleeve”. History relates that Emperor Ai of Han cut his sleeve off in order not to disturb his male lover Dongxian, who was sleeping on it.
This fairly relaxed attitude to gay sex and bisexuality came to an end in 1790, when homosexual acts between males were made illegal. Following the revolution, the communist government persecuted gays, punishing them with imprisonment and even execution. Since the early 1980s, things have changed and in 1997 sodomy was decriminalised. In 2001, Chinese psychiatrists finally dropped homosexuality from their list of mental illnesses.
But that's as far as it goes. Gay rights are not even discussed in the corridors of power, where the attitude appears to be what is called "the three noes": no approval, no disapproval and no promotion.
Despite this, Dinah Gardner, a freelance journalist based in Beijing, says the Olympic host city has a thriving but quiet gay scene.
"Destination is the only gay club," Gardner told Evolution Online, "but there are also half a dozen or so gay bars; many of them have drag show entertainment and karaoke and thus cater to a very local crowd."
Destination is currently expanding to two floors and has its dance floor closed for renovations, but the owners hope to have it open again before the Olympics.
The club’s part-owner Edmund Yang told China View, "I think our club will showcase Beijing as an open city and when tourists come, they will know there is such a place in Beijing."
Gardner said gay tourists in Beijing can easily find out where the gay clubs are.
"You could find gay venues by picking up a copy of Beijing Time Out – free in hotels and restaurants – there is a gay page," she said.
"You could also use online resources in English at Fridae.com and Utopia.com."
According to China View, the thriving internet community in China has led to young gays having much more freedom, with the ability to meet other gays on-line and arrange social meetings.
Yet the official policy on homosexuality today seems to be a form of silence, a kind of nation-wide "don't ask, don't tell": TV shows and films with gay themes are banned as "inappropriate" for example, and gay rights are not even on the agenda.
In fact, the issue of human rights has already clouded the Olympic arena, with protests against China's involvement in Tibet disrupting the journey of the Olympic Torch to China.
Peter Sagar, co-president of the Asia Pacific Outgames, said although the International Olympic Committee and the Beijing organisers have tried to keep politics out of sport, that approach may not be realistic.
"People are innately political and athletes are people," he said. "Like many of us, some athletes choose to express their views and opinions more than others.
"The Beijing Olympic Games has been a lightning rod for focusing on human rights issues. Previous hosts have also been under scrutiny, but not to the same extent."
Sagar said the point of the Olympics was that sport be presented as the opportunity for the nations of the world to come together, put their differences aside and compete.
Gay tourists and athletes travelling to Beijing can breathe easy since the former policy of harassment and detention seems to be disappearing. According to Edmund Wang, Destination nightclub has never been troubled by the police.
"The government doesn't bother you as long as you don't do anything illegal. It's the same for every club," he said.
Gay tourists and athletes should be reassured by that. But perhaps they may be wise to listen to a word of advice from Dinah Gardner:
"If you are gay and are coming to Beijing, it would be courteous to limit outward signs of affection to your hotel room or gay venues."
And one word of caution. From August 1, Destination has a strict ‘no sandals’ dress code. You are warned!
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