Public Restrooms and Hygiene: Practical Status and Responses

Current status: much better than the legends

Since 2015, China has implemented the 'toilet revolution,' significantly improving the quality of public restrooms in tourist attractions and cities

• Scenic spots: Most restrooms in scenic areas above 4A are clean and have toilet paper and hand sanitizer
• Cities: Restroom standards in subway stations, shopping malls, train stations, and airports are close to international standards
• Highway service areas: Cleanliness greatly improved, most have hot water
• Where the gap remains: public restrooms in counties versus rural areas, old city areas, and some small restaurants

Must be worn

• Toilet paper/tissues: This is the top priority. Although most places provide them, they are not all and often run out just in time
• Wet wipes and hand sanitizer: Many public restrooms do not have hand sanitizer or faucets
• Coins: A few paid public restrooms (1–2 NTD) only accept cash

How to find

• Top choices: subway stations and shopping malls. These two types of places have the highest standards and free restrooms
• Search for 'restroom' on Amap: Good coverage in big cities
• Fast food restaurants and cafes: McDonald's, KFC, and Starbucks are densely packed in first- and second-tier cities, and restrooms are open to the public
• Gas stations: Most gas stations along highways and national highways (Sinopec, PetroChina) are open to the public
• Hotel lobby: Even if you're not a guest, you are usually not stopped from entering the lobby to use the restroom

Squat vs Sitting

• Public restrooms in China are mainly squat toilets, with a low proportion of seated toilets, and most are unmanned public toilets
• Restrooms in scenic areas and high-speed rail stations usually offer two types of toilets, with seated rooms marked accordingly
• Seniors and those with knee difficulties: prioritize shopping malls, airports, high-speed rail stations, and 4A-level or higher scenic spots—these places have a high proportion of seated rooms
• Barrier-free rooms: Common in newly built venues, but not necessarily at the entrance

Other hygiene details

• Drinking Water: Tap water should not be drunk directly. Hotels have electric kettles (boiled water is safe), and public places often have hot water dispensers (those labeled "drinking water" can be drunk directly).
• Food Hygiene: Regular restaurants are reliable, street food stalls depend on the crowd (stalls with more people are usually fresher).
• Air Quality: Northern regions occasionally have smog in winter; sensitive individuals should bring N95 masks.
• Mosquito Protection: There are many mosquitoes in the south during summer, so prepare mosquito repellent. High-altitude regions and the north generally have no mosquitoes.
• Pharmacies: Chain pharmacies (such as Laobaixing, Yifeng, Dashenlin, Yixintang) are widespread in cities, with common medicines widely available, and some open 24 hours.