Chinese Toilets: How Do They Really Look Like?

Introduction

Have you started planning your trip to China and are wondering what to expect from Chinese toilets? Have you heard some horror stories from friends who have been in China a while back? Or maybe you were googling images of the toilets yourself?

No need to wonder anymore - embark with me on a fascinating journey through the... public toilets of China 😉

Why write about Chinese toilets?

When you type in Google a phrase “Chinese toilet”, you will get a collage of dirty squatting toilets, often without doors. They all look gross, and they might put you off from visiting China altogether.

While it might have been the case even a few years back, China is by far the fastest-changing country on the planet, with the government able to implement policies and build new facilities at an incredible speed.

Travelers often worry about the availability and usage of toilet paper in Chinese toilets. In many public restrooms, private homes, restaurants, and hotels, toilet paper is provided, but it is common practice to throw it into a waste basket instead of the toilet to prevent plumbing issues.

Even though we are aware that Internet is full of outdated information all over the place, but travelling with a recently potty trained child makes you anxious about whether or not she will rather use the toilet or pee her pants in protests.

What are the public toilets really like these days?

For us, travelling with one very recently potty-trained child toilets were much of a concern. But no need to fear anymore, dear parents and squat-toilet averse travellers out there!

What we have seen truly exceeded our expectations. In all newer metro stations, shopping malls and tourist attractions we have found “family toilets” - in those you can usually find, next to a Western-style accessible toilet a small children’s toilet, a sink and a small sink for a child, and a baby holder where you can put a small baby to use the toilet yourself. These public restrooms are generally well-maintained and provide a comfortable experience for families.

It is pretty much standard that many places like airports, train stations, trains and many public toilets have an accessible toilet - in China probably mostly used by local elderly and disabled people, but probably a preference for all Western tourist.

I was so surprised by the standard of (majority) of the toilets we encountered in big cities and tourist attractions, that I started doing a small research on the topic and found a reason for it. The availability and cleanliness of Western-style toilets with a toilet seat in various tourist locations are generally high, making it easier for travelers who prefer them over squat toilets.

So what exactly happened?

In 2015 Xi Jinping announced plans for a “toilet revolution” - an effort to build more public toilets of better quality to improve the sanitation around the country. The initiative has even earned itself its own Wikipedia page. Now all public toilets in China’s top tourist attractions (ranked by AAAAA in the country’s ranking systems) MUST have an accessibly toilet installed. Public restrooms in China are clearly signposted, making them easy to find for both locals and tourists.

Which is why to our surprised we have been able to use a family toilet in a park in Lijiang, a beautiful but relatively small tourist town in the Yunnan province.

Do people still use squat toilets?

Yes, they do - but public toilets are usually clean toilets with a flush, not a hole in the ground. They use them because this is what they are familiar with - and for a good reason, as squatting is the most natural position to go about your dirty business 💩

For travelers who prefer Western-style toilets, it is helpful to look for international hotels, large shopping malls, and popular tourist attractions, as these places are more likely to have Western-style facilities.

While still wide-spread, my prediction is that in the next decade they will give way to Japanese-style fancy toilets and more Western toilets - such is the speed of Chinese development!

Final word

I know that public toilets might not be the most bloggable topic of them all, but I find this initiative fascinating and really believe it can have the power of transforming Chinese tourism industry - especially for the reluctant Westerners for whom the fear of squatting toilets can put them off of going to this beautiful and diverse travel destination. With so many high-end holiday options available in China these days, it is a great news that toilets don't have to be in the way to experience the country.

Here are some of modern Chinese family toilets that we used extensively during our last trip with kids.