practical · 5 May 2026
Chinese Toilets: The Realistic Version
Squat toilets, pay-to-use facilities, paper policies, and the remarkable improvement in public toilet infrastructure over the past decade. Here is what foreign visitors actually encounter.
Chinese toilet infrastructure has improved significantly since the government launched the Toilet Revolution campaign in 2015. Tourist areas and transport hubs are now generally well-equipped.
The Squat Toilet
The squat toilet (蹲坑) is the standard public facility. Face the hood (raised end), squat with heels on the rests, and keep clothing clear. Seated toilets are standard in international hotels, airports, modern malls, and HSR carriages.
Paper Policy
In the majority of Chinese public toilets, do not put paper in the toilet — use the bin provided. This is because older pipes cannot handle paper. Carry pocket tissues at all times: this is the single most practical hygiene advice for China.
The Toilet Revolution Results
Since 2015, the government has built 70,000+ new tourist-area toilets. At Jiuzhaigou, the Great Wall, and West Lake, facilities are now comparable to Western tourist sites.
Practical Recommendations
Always carry pocket tissues. Use hotel toilets before rural day trips. Major shopping mall toilets are uniformly better than street-level. Modern HSR station toilets are clean and Western-style.
Tags
practical, hygiene, planning, public-facilities