As a Chinese, I understand that the thought of using a Chinese toilet can be intimidating. I’m sure many people have often wondered if it’s easy to find a public toilet in China and if all Chinese toilets are squat toilets.
Over the years, I’ve encountered a variety of Chinese toilets and public bathrooms, and I’d like to share my experiences and knowledge on what to expect and how to use a Chinese squat toilet. While it’s natural to want a clean and hygienic bathroom when the need arises, the quality of public restrooms can vary when traveling.
However, I’ve found that Chinese toilets are often better and cleaner than I expected. China has made significant improvements in the availability and sanitation of toilets in the past decade, so what you may have heard or seen in the past may not be representative of the current situation. That being said, it’s worth noting that public Chinese toilets can still be dirty, as is the case with public restrooms in many parts of the world. However, China may still surprise you with the quality of its public restrooms.
I’m going to provide a comprehensive guide on what to expect with toilets in China, including how to use a squat toilet if necessary, and offer tips for travelers who may need to use public bathrooms in China.
It’s worth noting that this information is an excerpt from a best-selling China travel handbook I published on Amazon. If you’re planning a trip to China and have concerns about the toilets, accommodations, or the overall unknowns of traveling to a foreign country, you may find it helpful to refer to my guide.
Why are Chinese toilets on the ground?
Chinese toilets, also known as squat toilets, are on the ground because they are designed for users to squat over them rather than sit on them. This type of toilet is common in many parts of the world, including Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe.
Squat toilets have several advantages over seated toilets, including the fact that they are more hygienic as they do not require users to come into contact with a potentially dirty toilet seat. They are also more efficient in terms of water usage as they require less water to flush. Squat toilets have been used for centuries and are still commonly used in many parts of the world today.
Do you have to use the Chinese Squat Toilets?
Traditionally, Chinese toilets have been squat toilets, which are exactly what they sound like – a place to squat and do your business. While you may encounter squat toilets during your travels in China, it’s important to note that many places also offer Western-style toilets, especially in larger tourist cities.
The availability of Western-style toilets may be more limited in older homes or more remote areas of the country. If you find yourself in a situation where a squat toilet is your only option, don’t worry – they’re actually quite easy to use and just require some getting used to.
After using a few, you’ll likely feel more comfortable using public bathrooms in China. It’s worth noting that squat toilets have some advantages, such as not having to deal with dirty toilet seats or needing to use toilet paper to cover them.
If the thought of using a squat toilet is intimidating, you can always rely on finding a Western-style toilet in your hotel or in many public restrooms in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. If you’re not used to squatting, it may be helpful to practice before you’re in a real-life situation, especially if you’ll be using a squat toilet on a Chinese train.
Availability and cleanliness of the toilets in China
As I’ve traveled throughout China, I’ve noticed that the availability and cleanliness of Chinese toilets can vary depending on the location.
In general, larger tourist cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Kunming offer plenty of clean bathrooms, including seated toilets in hotels, major restaurants, and even train cars. Many tourist attractions also have relatively clean Western-style toilets.
However, when venturing off the beaten path or into more remote areas of the country, the situation may be different. I’ve been on buses in western China where the only option for a toilet was to stop by the side of the road and find privacy behind a rock.
While this was an extreme example in a very remote part of the country, it’s important to be aware that the toilet situation may be different in less developed areas. If you’re planning to visit such areas, a good tour guide or China guidebook can provide information on what to expect in terms of toilets. Even if you’re staying in the big cities, it’s possible that you may encounter a squat toilet, so it’s helpful to know how to use one.
How to Find a Good Public Toilet in China?
It’s easy to find a public Chinese toilet in large cities – just look for blue signs with the words “WC” or “公共厕所/gōnggòng cèsuǒ” written on them.
You may also see the words “卫生间 (Wèishēngjiān)” or “洗手间 (Xǐshǒujiān)” which also indicate a toilet. If you want to find a clean Chinese toilet, here are some tips:
- Check the star ratings of public restrooms in tourist areas like the Forbidden City. Aim for a 4-star bathroom or ask your tour guide for recommendations.
- Look for “smart toilets” which have features like facial scanning technology, WiFi, and metrics on stall occupancy. These are becoming more common in major tier-1 cities in China.
- If you’re in a pinch, try going into a fancy hotel where you’re likely to find a clean, Western-style toilet.
Keep in mind that these tips may not apply in small towns or rural areas where toilets may be less developed and less sanitary. In general, it’s easy to determine which toilets are for men and women as they are usually marked with the standard graphics indicating a man or woman.
However, in small towns or rural areas, the men’s and women’s rooms may be marked with Chinese characters. To differentiate between the two, remember that the Chinese character for “female” looks like a woman crossing her legs. Familiarizing yourself with these characters can help you avoid any awkward situations when using a public Chinese toilet.
Useful tips for using Chinese toilets
Now that you have a better understanding of how to find and use Chinese toilets, here are some essential tips to keep in mind during your trip:
- Bring your own toilet paper as public toilets in China may not always provide it.
- If you forget to bring toilet paper, you can purchase small packets of tissue paper at convenience stands or stores. Follow the signs and do not flush paper products down the toilet in restrooms that request it. Instead, dispose of them in the bin provided.
- When using a squat toilet, make sure your back is facing the wall and be cautious when flushing as some toilets have strong water pressure.
- Carry hand sanitizer with you at all times as hand soap may not always be available in Chinese public toilets and can sometimes be fake or harsh on the skin.
- Avoid laying your bags on the floor in public toilets as it is considered unhygienic.
- If you’re particularly concerned about germs, you may want to use tissue paper to flush the toilet as an extra precaution.
FAQ: About Chinese toilets
Yes, China does have both squat toilets and seated (Western-style) toilets. While squat toilets are more common in China, especially in rural areas and older buildings, seated toilets are also widely available, especially in urban areas, hotels, and other tourist-oriented places. Many public restrooms in China offer both types of toilets, so you should have a choice depending on your preference. It’s worth noting that while squat toilets may be less common in other parts of the world, they are still used in many countries and are considered a normal and hygienic option.
It is not uncommon for toilets in China to not have doors, especially in public restrooms. While some public restrooms may have stalls with doors, others may have open toilets or toilets separated by partitions that do not reach the ceiling. This is more common in older buildings or less developed areas of the country.
However, it is worth noting that many public restrooms in China, especially in urban areas and tourist destinations, do have stalls with doors. It’s also worth noting that toilets in hotels and private homes in China typically have doors. If you are concerned about privacy when using a toilet in China, you can ask your hotel or tour guide for recommendations on where to find more private facilities.
It is not uncommon for public restrooms in China to not have toilet paper, especially in older or less developed areas of the country. It’s a good idea to always carry your own toilet paper when traveling in China, as you may not always be able to find it in public restrooms. However, it’s worth noting that many public restrooms in China, especially in urban areas and tourist destinations, do have toilet paper available.
Some public restrooms may also have a fee for using the toilet, which may include a small amount of toilet paper. It’s also worth noting that toilets in hotels and private homes in China typically have toilet paper available. If you do find yourself in a situation where toilet paper is not available, you can purchase packets of tissue paper at convenience stands or stores, which can be used in place of toilet paper.
