Reclining Buddha statues in Asia

Reclining Buddha statues in Asia
Or rather Buddhist countries in Asia, with focus on Cambodia and Myanmar. Alphabetical by country, then numerical by length.
China leads by longest 416 m, Myanmar has the most > 50 m in the world. Just as for Thailand, there is a lot of outdated or wrong information on the internet. 

Here are two links that have lists and and that I used to prepare this post: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reclining_Buddha
https://thriftytraveller.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/list-of-asias-largest-reclining-buddha-statues/

Most pictures my own. Thanks to a Farang friend for drone pictures. Some pictures from internet with link. 

China
World Zuida Wofo Scenic Area 世界最大卧佛景区
416 m according to links below. Feet at 28.3757, 117.4191, head not clearly visible in satellite image. 395 m straight line from head to toe; would be longer 422 m if following curves in rock.

source: https://sj.jxnews.com.cn/index/Index/news.html?id=58188

source: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/travel/2015-04/01/content_19964742.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX5OYXJBsFQ
CN Walking Tour Explore the World’s Longest Reclining Buddha: 416 m Giant Mountain Buddha Hidden for 1000 Years! This is the site of the World’s Largest Reclining Buddha, located in Yiyang County, Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province, China. The Buddha is unbelievably massive — just one of its fingernails is about the size of ten adults! Absolutely breathtaking!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CzlbpqsoJ49
dalailamaworld world's largest reclining Buddha stone statue in Yiyang county, Shangrao city, east China's Jiangxi province

Oriental Buddha Park Leshan
146 m (29.5406, 103.7754). Near the famous giant ancient sitting Buddha, there is contemporary Oriental Buddha Park with various Buddha statues.

source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:China_-_Leshan_1_-_giant_reclining_Buddha_(135955202).jpg

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHz44ZLzZbu/
Oriental Buddha Park Leshan video in Thai

Golden Buddha in Hengdian, Zhejiang 
(no further data, no location)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=576EQVG_40U
Aerial China: A reclining Buddha found on the mountain in Hengdian, Zhejiang
www.bilibili.com/video/BV1yb4y1Z7QT/
浙江横店大山上的卧佛，见者好运，老外看了直呼太厉害！
https://haokan.baidu.com/v?vid=10438923104629220250

source: https://img0.baidu.com/it/u=3777191513,3907976300&fm=253

Sanshui Big Buddha 三水大佛 Guangdong
97 m (23.1887, 112.8684).

source: http://www.bytravel.cn/landscape/12/haiyangshijie.html 
   
Lingyun Mountain scenic area 凌云山风景区 in Nanchong 南充
72 m long according to https://bitterwinter.org/a-sichuan-scenic-area-loses-all-buddhist-and-taoist-statues/ and scnongye.scol.com.cn/web/detail.aspx?id=42307, no exact location.  
   

source: above link.

Wofo Temple 卧佛殿 新昌大佛寺
37 m near 29.496, 120.895 in cave. 37 m according to (at 14 min 32 s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9ZHmISPzIU
Exploring a Hidden Buddhist Wonder in China: Asia’s Largest Reclining Buddha Inside? Xinchang Great Buddha Temple Scenic Area, located in Xinchang County, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province
新昌大佛寺+卧佛

source: https://p5.itc.cn/q_70/images03/20230114/0b812c55f8db4ebf8da16cce1ada7eca.jpeg 

Dafo Temple or Great Buddha Temple 大佛寺 in Zhangye 张掖, Gansu
35 m according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dafo_Temple_(Zhangye)
The Dafo Temple or Great Buddha Temple (Chinese: 大佛寺; pinyin: Dàfó Sì) is a Buddhist temple in Zhangye, Gansu, China, notable for its gigantic reclining Buddha statue made around 1100 during the Western Xia period, which is thirty-five metres long.
34.5m according to https://www.chinadiscovery.com/gansu/zhangye/giant-buddha-temple.html

Dazu near Chongqing
32 m according to https://www.ichongqing.info/tourism/attractions/dazu-baodingshan-rock-carvings/

Anyue shiku 安岳石窟 or 卧佛院摩崖造像 in Anyue near Chengdu
23 m according to https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/ezine/2007-09/03/content_6074998_3.htm and https://mongolschinaandthesilkroad.blogspot.com/2011/11/grottos-of-anyue.html (Says it's the world's largest left-reclining Buddha).

source: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:卧佛院摩崖造像.jpg

Cambodia
Baphuon Temple Siem Reap
Est. 50 m (incomplete, most of west base of temple). 70 m according to https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/reclining-buddha-baphuon

source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Statues_of_the_Buddha_reclining_in_Cambodia#/media/File:Le_Bouddha_couché_(Baphuon,_Angkor)_(6832283851).jpg

full picture here: https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/sleeping-buddha-sleeping-buddha-ruin-great-reclining-buddha-baphuon-temple-angkor-thom-siem-reap-cambodia-98792045.jpg?w=1400

Phnom Sampeu near Battambang
About 32 m, carved in rock (13.0262, 103.0999).

source: https://cambodia-travelpartner.com/experience/phnom-sampeu/

Wat Krapum Pech near Phnom Penh
27 m (11.6732, 104.9464). 
   

Prek Bongkong Pagoda near Phnom Penh
22 m (11.6161, 104.9512).

North Phnom Prasit Pagoda at Phnom Baset near Phnom Penh
20 m (my measurement 6oct2022, roof 23 m, 11.6658, 104.7494).

Wat Phnom Bros near Kampong Cham
19 m (12.0308, 105.4182), 18 m my measurement 4feb2021.

Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple in California
14 m (37.9235, -121.225)
A Cambodian temple in the U.S.A., filed here. Details https://eu.recordnet.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2025/04/13/exploring-the-statues-of-stocktons-wat-dhammararam-buddhist-temple/83071735007/

Phnom Santuk near Kampong Thom
Est. 10 m carved in rock under roof (11 m, 12.6452, 105.0017).

Wat Preah Ang Thom in Phnom Kulen near Siem Reap
9 m my measurement 24feb2021, 8 m according to https://kulenrevealed.org/reclining-buddha-siem-reap/ Carved in rock under roof (roof 15 m, 13.5642, 104.1104).

Phnom Sampeu near Battambang
(Pkarslar Cave, under roof in forest)
https://theungracefulguide.com/battambang/

Phnom Neang Kang Buddha Nirvana at border of Kampong Chhnang and Pursat
somewhere near 12.395, 104.353.
"Several meter long" according to https://helloangkor.com/attractions/phnom-neang-kang-buddha-nirvava/

Phnom Sambok Pagoda in Kratie
(I can't spot the statue in forest in satellite view). Picture here
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Golden_gilded_reclining_Buddha.jpg/500px-Golden_gilded_reclining_Buddha.jpg

Preah Putth Chaul Nipean in Rattanakiri
Est. 3 m (roof 10 m, 13.7358, 106.9691).

Hong Kong
Hong Kong has a huge sitting Buddha, but the longest reclining Buddha (est. 3 m from pictures) might be in Western Monastery.

India
Bodh Gaya
30 m (24.7183, 84.9994)

source: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJk-368SrxA/

Buddha Park Ravangla, Sikkim, India
13m 27.3122, 88.3641

Ajanta Cave No. 26
7 m in cave carved from rock.

Indonesia 
Buddha Tidur Mojokerto near Surabaya
19 m (-7.5562, 112.3698).

Vihara Dharma Giri Bali Indonesia
Sleeping Buddha statue Pupuan Tabanan
17 m  (-8.3197, 115.0176).

source: https://www.baligoldentour.com/dharma-giri-vihara.php

Japan
Nanzo-in
39 m (33.6183, 130.5741). 41 m according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanzo-in The world's longest bronze reclining Buddha.

source: https://espunisinjapan.com/en/nippon-wonders/hidden-gems/reclining-buddha/

Jorakusan Mantoku-ji Temple near Yokohama
18 m (34.9486, 139.836).

Lao
Buddha Park (Wat Xieng Khouane Luang)
40 m (17.9125, 102.765)

Pha That Luang Vientiane ພຣະ​ທາດຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ
24 m (17.9761, 102.6369).

Malaysia
Wat Phothivihan near Kota Bharu
(roof 53 m, 6.1297, 102.1376)
40 m according to https://www.malaysia-traveller.com/wat-phothivihan.html and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Phothivihan

source: link above

Wat Chayamangkalaram in Penang
32-33 m according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Chayamangkalaram
32 m according to https://erisgoesto.com/2023/05/09/roadtrip-diaries-giant-reclining-buddha-wat-chayamangkalaram-george-town-penang/

Myanmar
Win Sein Monastery near Mawlamyine
176 m (satellite image, head at 16.3232, 97.7239).
Nearby construction site will be 255 m when completed. Only upper body and face, picture below, does not warrant a separate entry. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Win_Sein_Tawya
Win Sein Tawya (Burmese: ဝင်းစိန်တောရ; also spelt Win Sein Taw Ya) is a Buddhist complex near Mudon, Mon State, Myanmar. It is home to the world's largest [not any more] free-standing reclining Buddha, which is 180 metres (590 ft) long and 30 metres (98 ft) tall.

source: https://www.westend61.de/en/photo/RUNF03822/myanmar-mon-state-outside-of-mawlamyine-giant-reclining-buddha-in-win-sein-taw-ya-aerial-view

Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung near Monywa near Mandalay
100 m (22.0805, 95.2871), 101.5 m according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha_Bodhi_Tahtaung and 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanboddhay_Pagoda

Ko Yin Lay Pagoda near Ye
113 m (15.3246, 97.8825).

Lawka Tharahpu Buddha in Dawei
roof 97 m (14.0435, 98.2321). 74 m according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawka_Tharahpu_Pagoda 
https://www.travelfish.org/sight_profile/burma_myanmar/southern_burma_myanmar/tanintharyi_region/dawei/3592

Naungdawgyi Myathalyaung Reclining Buddha in Bago
73 m (17.3351, 96.4625).

Chaukhtatgyi Buddha Temple in Yangon
66 m according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaukhtatgyi_Buddha_Temple

Shwethalyaung Temple in Bago
roof 72 m (17.338, 96.4624).
55 m according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shwethalyaung_Temple

Sein Thar Lyaung Pagoda in Bago
Est. 51 m (roof 63 m, 17.3206, 96.5123).

   
(no English name) ကျောက်နွားတောင် Kalaw
36 m (20.6751, 96.6979). 

Su Taung Pyae Pagoda in Myitkyina
Est. 34 m (roof 43 m, 25.3962, 97.4047).

Manuha Temple in Bagan
29 m my estimate from 21jan2025. Roof 35 m (21.1534, 94.8592).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuha_Temple

   
Skinny Buddha Pagoda ပြည်​တော်​အေး ရုပ်ပွား​တော် Mandalay
23 m (21.9757, 96.1149). 

Shinbinthalyaung in Bagan
21 m (my measurement, roof 27 m, 21.1634, 94.8656).
18 m according to https://www.myanmartours.us/destinations/bagan/ba-attractions/shinbinthalyaung-temple/

source: above link. My own pictures poor light. Full picture here: https://www.gettyimages.de/detail/foto/metre-long-reclining-buddha-statue-from-the-11th-lizenzfreies-bild/683486748
   
Mae La Mu Pagoda / Meilamu Pagoda မယ်လမုဘုရား in Yangon
15 m (16.8837, 96.1556) half sitting, half lying. 
   
Thamaikham Pagoda Kalaw
7.3 m (20.6974, 96.676, my measurement 13feb2026, under roof). 
   
National Landmark Garden Naypyitaw
7.2 m (19.8736, 96.2692, my measurement 15feb2026, under roof, miniature of 

Shwethalyaung Temple in Bago). 
   
west of U-Bein bridge Mandalay
6.6 m (21.8947, 96.0503, my measurement 6feb2026, under roof). 
   
Parinibbana Buddha Image (ပရိနိဗ္ဗာန်စံဝင်‌တော်မူရာဌာန - စံ) Naypyitaw
6.3 m (19.9723, 96.145, my measurement 14feb2026, under roof). 

Phowintaung near Monywa near Mandalay
In cave, no data. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phowintaung

Sri Lanka
Maitreya Buddha Statue (Umandawa)
45 m (7.7177, 80.4934) in Google Maps satellite image 4jul2026, but not on 21nov2025.

Shayilathalarama Viharaya
Est. 27 m (roof 34 m, 6.263, 80.0735).
35 m according to https://amazinglanka.com/wp/karandeniya/

Gal Viharaya Polonnaruwa
14 m according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gal_Vihara
No view without roof on Google Earth Pro.

source: above link

Taiwan
六福村臥佛像 in Leofoo Village Theme Park 六福村主題遊樂園 near Taipei.
39 m (satellite image, head at 24.8246, 121.1833)

source: https://www.leofoovillage.com.tw/Infos/News/buddhafes

Tajikistan
Originally in Ajina-Teppa, now in National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan.
My pictures below are from National Museum of Tajikistan. Only later did I realize that this a copy in original size.
13 m according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_in_Nirvana. Elsewhere a length of 12 or 13 or 14 m is given. The copy is 14 m long (my measurement 20may2025).

Thailand
Wat Pa Sawang Bun วัดป่าสว่างบุญ Saraburi
200 m (14.4118, 101.1322), according to a sign there 219 m. 
The longest man-made (the one in China 416 m carved in rock). 
More in Thailand see previous post.

Vietnam
Som Rong Pagoda in Soc Trang City
63 m in satellite image and https://vietnamnet.vn/en/vietnam-s-largest-reclining-buddha-rests-in-a-300-year-old-khmer-pagoda-2397253.html

source: above link.

Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha Nirvana near Saigon
53 m (10.9803, 106.659) Hội Khánh Temple.

Tượng Phật Niết Bàn near Phan Thiet
48 m (10.8145, 107.8949).
   
Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda in My Tho
35 m (10.3636, 106.3733).

Tu Van Pagoda in Cam Ranh
20 m (11.9098, 109.1489).

Chùa Hương Mai (Quy Nhơn, Bình Định) Vietnam
19 m (white, open 13.7651, 109.288).

Long Son Pagoda Chùa Long Sơn Nha Trang
17 m  (12.2516, 109.1807 under trees).
Google maps Kim thân Đức Phật nhập Niết Bàn - Chùa Long Sơn

Copyright 2025 ChristianPFC except linked pictures and quotes

No gay activities Nov2024 Taiwan

No gay activities Nov2024 Taiwan
More precise 1-15nov2024 Taipei, Taizhong, Sun and Moon Lake, Alishan, Kaohsiung. My first trip to Taiwan after Covid. I didn't have much success in online dating in the past, rather focus on tourism. But many others report good success in Taiwan, details at end of post. Currency NTD = New Taiwan Dollar, at time of writing 1 NTD = 1.04 THB, 1 EUR = 34 NTD, 1 USD = 33 NTD.

Fri1nov2024 Bangkok to Taipei.

Sat2nov2024 Emperor Spa, Soi 13 in sauna.
Huang Ding (former gay hot spring) is no more (closed permanently in 2018 and has been abandoned since then, and now even collapsed). 25.1415, 121.5291.

Emperor Spa (partially gay hot spring, google maps: Emperor Spa 皇池溫泉御膳館 Emperor Hotspring).

I'm going with a German travel companion. We take advantage of their offer of entry of 800 NTD for two including restaurant, i.e. you can eat from their menu up to 800 – and pay extra what's above – and then enter the hot spring for free. A good deal.

16:40 short queue to get into hot spring, and we have to share a locker because they are full. A particularity I observed only in Taiwan is that lockers are payable (coins), and if you open your locker and want to lock it again, you have to pay again. This locker 20 NTD (2 x 10 coin). There are no towels either, but I knew and we brought towels from hotel. No drinking water either.

Steam room is hot and low visibility. Cold puddles on floor. Benches too hot to sit. I observer some groping. Pools are labelled 41/42/43 C but I brought a thermometer and measure 42/44/42 C. Round cold pool has 25 C. Spot only few small tattoos, estimated 1 out of 20 customers. There is one great body, follow him to steam room and touch him accidentally on purpose (to maintain deniability), but he doesn't seem to like it. We leave 18:05.

1000 NTD entry to Soi 13 in 19:07. Locker 133 of 369. Everything as I remember from 2018/19. Free tea, coffee, hot chocolate. Brimming with locals, about 5 whites. Few tattoos. Good light, interesting activities, no clear hit and none interested in me. Leave 20:56.

When I went in 2018, entry fee was 500. In 2019, it was 600. Now 1000 (that's 1040 THB, 29 EUR, 30 USD!) is clearly to much. Local friend says this might be a price for foreigners and locals might get in cheaper.

Sun3nov2024 Taipei.
A local friend told me there can be gay activities at Taipei Da-An Sports Center 臺北市大安運動中心. Entry 110 NTD, I stay 16:17-17:27. Only when I enter shower, I remember I was here before.

Use of locker costs 20 (pay in cash 2 x 10 coins, but locking and unlocking digital, can unlock only once). I go for a swim in their 50 m pool. There is a note that this lane is for fast swimming under 70 s, and maximum 30 s rest at shores. Sauna 62 C. Steam room hot, no thermometer. Pools lukewarm and lukecold. About 50 other customers, some okay looking, no hints at gay activities. Some nudity. Use of hairdryer costs 10. No towel provided. Swimming only with rubber cap, I can borrow one for free at reception.

We (German travel companion, local friend, I) go for a drink in gay bar area at Red House in Ximen. Nothing to write home about. Bye midnight to get last metro to hotel.

One of the sex toy stores in the area has an interesting policy:
As an adults sex toy store, we respect customers' privacy, browsing aimlessly is prohibited. We only take customers with specific needs. Please follow steps below  before entering:
1 Check the product categories on the wall outside.
2 Confirm what you would like to buy.
3 Tell us what you want to buy otherwise we may asked you to leave.
Thank you for your cooperation. Don't just look.

Tue5nov2024 Taipei.
In Peace Park = 228 Park 20:20-40, spot over 10 gays.

Sat10nov2024 Kaohsiung.
Hornet dense with profiles, but I gave up long ago.

It can be generalized, online dating in Taiwan, China and Vietnam is equally poor for me. This is two-sided, I prefer darker skin, and Chinese and Vietnamese show less interest in me than Myanmar, Thailand, Lao, Cambodia. Both factors work to my disfavor and make it about 10 times harder to get a date in Taiwan, China or Vietnam. When coming from or going to one of the easy online dating countries, it's just not worth trying in difficult online dating countries.

I expect similar (poor boy business) in South Korea and Japan, and that's another factor (beside long travel time from Thailand, higher prices than in SEAsia and cold winter) why I might never go there.

Fri15nov2024 Taipei to Bangkok.

There are multiple reports of good success in Taiwan, most recent here: Taipei trip report October 2024 https://sawatdeenetwork.com/v4/showthread.php?23284-Taipei-trip-report-October-2024

And my comment there (repost here slightly edited):
Thanks for your report. I have just (two weeks in November) been back to Taiwan first time after Covid. In total 6 trips to Taiwan. My experiences with guys the opposite: online dating so poor that I don't bother any more*. The sauna Soi 13 in is still great, the best I have been to in all my travels, but at 1000 NTD entry (1040 THB) simply too expensive. But Taiwan is still on my list for sightseeing and hiking.

*In 2018, I stayed 3 months in Taipei and had 3 guys in my room. The same year I was in Yangon for a week and had 8 guys to my room. I used to say that online dating in Taiwan is a black hole, nothing ever comes back. Send messages to 20 profiles, not a single reply. And nobody messages me either. Elsewhere, you have at least some bullshit and crap and demands for money, but in Taiwan, nothing. But now with hornet subscription I can see that some of those I messaged read my message and had a look at my profile.

Copyright 2025 ChristianPFC

Where to next?

Where to next?
The question what I think of various SEAsian countries comes up occasionally. Here the answers (sightseeing, infrastructure, prices, climate, visa). What I think of boys from SEAsian countries was posted here: https://christianpfc.blogspot.com/2019/05/dating-seasian-boys-1-overview.html and https://christianpfc.blogspot.com/2019/05/dating-seasian-boys-2-filipinos.html

Cambodia
I have spent the last two years doing visa runs to Cambodia. Infrastructure is poor, so is sightseeing (other than Angkor Wat). But it's easy to get to, I prefer land travel over flights. And boy business is great! However my favourite Donald there is always busy. My last trip was 30 days, and I could meet him only once. Even worse, my messages not read for days, I can't even discuss this issue. I think the situation is the following: for me he is number one, I would go anywhere any time to meet him. But for him there is family first, then work, then friends, then his dogs, and at best I'm in fifth place. To save me from experiencing the same situation again, go somewhere else.

Vietnam
Good infrastructure, food, sightseeing. Boy business okay (boys I met in Vietnam for free; Vietnamese money boys in Bangkok I wouldn't touch with a barge pole and their presence in some Bangkok gogo bars is yet another reason not to go there (Bangkok gogo bars)). Now 15 days visa free stay for Germans, and I can see myself making use of that in the future.

Thailand
Great as a travel hub in SEAsia and overall best place for me. Good infrastructure, food, sightseeing, boy business. I have learnt the language and have a lot of experience in travelling. I would spend more time in Thailand (up from already 6 months a year), but visa free is only 30 days and I'm not in the mood to apply for tourist visa (as I did before Covid) or extensions. So now it's one month in Thailand, one month elsewhere.

Lao
Lao is like rural Thailand. Even the capital Vientiane is dusty (soil), whereas Udon Thani is clean. I read somewhere that the rich from Vientiane go to Ubon for shopping because of more choice. To go to Lao, I have to pay for a visa, change money, get a SIM-card or roaming. Language not so much a problem, most Lao can speak Thai. To me, Lao is like Thailand's dusty backyard. I will go again some day for the new train in northern Lao and some temple and mountain business in southern Lao.

Philippines
More expensive to get to and not as safe as other SEAsian countries. I have met several Pinoys in Thailand, none of them convincing. In particular every time I had thoughts of going to Philippines, I met one and “meh”.

Meh [mɛ] EXCLAMATION expressing a lack of interest or enthusiasm: "meh, I'm not impressed so far"

2019 in Hongkong I met one cute, he approached me and we exchanged facebook. But my messages not read. If there had been a clear signal, I would have gone (but Covid would have put a stop to that).

Taiwan
Great infrastructure and sightseeing and food. But I have to consider seasons, in winter too cold, in autumn typhoons. In summer I'm in Germany, that leaves only spring to go to Taiwan. More expensive to get to. Hotels far more expensive than in SEAsia. In most SEAsian countries I can stay in a decent hotel for under 20 USD, in Taiwan that gets me a bed in a dormitory. That means I have to make the most of my stay and can't do "office days" (stay in and work on computer, as I do elsewhere in SEAsia). Boys great in sauna, but online dating very poor for me.

Indonesia and Malaysia
I have been to both and by infrastructure, sightseeing, boys it would be candidates for a repeat. But they are Muslim countries and Islam is a subconscious threat to my lifestyle.

Singapore and Hong Kong
A bit more expensive than other SEAsian countries. Sightseeing limited by their small size, however Hong Kong has amazing hiking that could keep me occupied for weeks, stretched over years of passing for a few days when travelling Thailand/China/Hong Kong/Taiwan.

South Korea and Japan
Both further away, expensive and long flight to get too, and expensive to stay. Whereas a Thai friend told me she would skip Taiwan and go to Japan or Korea instead. Furthermore, I speak basic Chinese, but no Japanese or Korean. For climate, only time to visit would be in summer, but then I'm in Germany. Boys not my center of attraction. Furthermore, I have read/heard several times that there are gay venues in Japan that do not allow foreigners (or you need a Japanese to introduce you). Here is the one occasion this year to use “Go penetrate yourselves” (figuratively and literally) because it perfectly expresses my sentiment.

Myanmar
My favorite country in SEAsia. Great sightseeing and boys and okay infrastructure. Boys the most exotic in SEAsia, and easy to meet in online dating or massage (unfortunately no gay sauna in Myanmar). During Nov2023 I was planning for a trip to Myanmar in Dec2023, but watch the civil war situation and commit (i.e. buy flight tickets, get health insurance, apply for visa) as late as possible. Even though it would have been no problem to get to Myanmar begin of December, I would stay the full 28 days of tourist visa, and a lot can happen in that time.

Great stuff from gay massages on facebook, line, twitter. But you don't have to go to Myanmar to meet Myanmar massage boys, the massage places in Saphan Khwai and Inthamara are mostly staffed with Myanmese. However, in Myanmar prices lower, better attitude (from previous visits), more authentic.

I reached out to some acquaintances from before Covid. One asked me to bring him a pair of white Nike sneakers size 47-48. Even though it was clear for me from the beginning, I didn't tell him I will not buy and bring those shoes. The reason is not so much money, but the following. Buying shoes for myself is an unpleasant experience that I want to delay as long as possible. Buying shoes for someone else, I would have to spend hours because I'm not familiar with the subject and can't incorporate it in my daily business. For 28 days I would bring a full suitcase, no space for a pair of shoes. By cancelling my trip to Myanmar, I avoided telling him I will not bring those shoes.

It could turn out to be a great trip (boy business and few other foreign tourists), but I can't see myself checking the news every day to see if it's still safe where I am. And with all land borders controlled by insurgents*, only way out is a flight.

*Anyway, there would be no public transport, I would have to hire car and driver at high price, and at control points “I'm doctor ChristianPFC on my way to Thailand in an important mission and request passage” probably would not work.

On the subject of going to unsafe areas for holiday: https://www.nzz.ch/international/afghanistan-darf-man-ferien-bei-taliban-machen-ld.1753194 “Holiday with the Taliban”, it is now possible to travel to Afghanistan for tourism.

China
When I first wanted to go to China in 2018, I was shocked to find out a tourist visa costs 150 USD. No country I have been to is worth 150 USD for a tourist visa. In particular I would stay only one or two weeks on first trip. Later I learned about 144 hours visa free transit, but when the time came to put that into practice, Covid hit and delayed all my plans for 3 years. But now, contrary to Myanmar which requires a visa and a health insurance, China abolished health declaration on 1nov2023 and allows 15 days visa free visit for German and several other from 1dec2023. Two steps in the right direction, let's go to China!

Copyright 2023 ChristianPFC

Gay activities Taiwan Nov2019

Gay activities Taiwan Nov2019

Exchange rate at time of posting: 1 EUR = 34 TWD, 1 USD = 30 TWD, 1000 THB = 998 TWD.

Tue5nov2019

Flight Hong Kong to Taipei.

I booked a bed in a dormitory online (cheap at about 200 NTD per night) and when I open the door to the dormitory I rejoice: it looks like the individual beds are separated by wall and door from each other!

But when I open the door: SHOCK! There are two beds, and the lower is already occupied!

This “room” is 1.5 m x 2.0 m = 3 sqm. Normally I get that close only to family members of first degree or sexual partners. Now I have to share it with a stranger!

They have double rooms (a mattress surrounded by three walls) and single rooms, but the wall does not reach the ceiling so even in a single or double room there is no privacy.

Soi13in sauna 19:54-21:52. Entry price raised to 600 NTD (from 500 last time I went). About 100 customers when I enter, about 50 when I leave. One clear hit and several bordercases, none of them interested.

At 600 NTD it’s expensive for the prospect of sex, in an unfavorable environment (I prefer a room and a bed). I rather get a money boy in Bangkok for 500 THB.

Wed6nov2019 Taipei

Peace Park at night 21:08-22:00. In the northern part general public, southern part about 20-30 cruising. One cute, we exchange looks and I chat him up. Little English, fluent in Chinese, only when I look at his phone screen (Vietnamese) and he tells me he is Vietnamese I find out that he is not local but visiting student. Stays in dorm with 5, and I can’t bring anyone back, so the question “your room or my room” doesn’t even arise.

Thu7nov2019 Taipei

Peace Park to meet Richard again. Arrive 19:42, about 20 boys. Besides studying, he works in hairdressing and massage (rejoice), but no private rooms (bummer).

Fri8nov2019 Taipei

Last trip (on 12apr2019) I met Jack in Soi13in sauna, and for lack of elsewhere to go we went to the sauna again, just to use their private rooms (but still expensive 500 entry each, and poor light, no bed, noise from outside). To have somewhere nicer, I booked a hotel for two nights in Shilin (near his place) at 1600 NTD per night. The most expensive I have ever paid for hotel in my life. 

Arrive there in the evening and can't find it! No clear sign outside, and houses have no numbers displayed. I have to ask locals at the night market in front of where my hotel is supposed to be, and they point me to the right door.

The room is spartan: no chair, no table, no wardrobe, no clothes hanger, the only furniture is the bed. The accommodation situation in Taiwan is dire (summary of several trips)!

Jack is sick with fever and cancels. The most expensive cancellation ever.

Sat9nov2019 Taipei

Visit Richard at his workplace and have hair wash and head massage (350 NTD). I scheduled my visit so it’s shortly before closing, but he has other plans and cannot come with me.

On the way home, message him if we can do full body massage next time we meet; reply “That will be expensive.”

Sun10nov2019 Taipei

Move to another hotel (at 800 NTD per night cheaper and closer to Dennis). Chat with a local on hornet and meet at night market. Bordercase on pictures, and now clearly too fat and too hairy.

Mon11nov2019 Taipei

The hotel has thin walls (a general problem in Taipei), first sound of children in hallway, then sound of cleaning staff.

Dennis comes to my room, the first encounter that went to plan. However sharp teeth and a bit hairy.

Tue12nov2019

Flight Taipei to Bangkok.

For information on Taiwan read here as well:

https://sawatdeenetwork.com/v4/showthread.php?17404-Taiwan-some-observations-and-information

Summary: Sex-wise a disaster! Short-time accommodation too expensive (hotel) or lack of privacy (dormitory).

1 free sex: Dennis.

1 cancellation: Jack.

3 no sex: Richard x 3, boy from hornet.

1 gay sauna: Soi13in.

2 gay cruising in Peace Park.

Copyright 2020 ChristianPFC