Before going to China we were unsure about what to expect regarding the basic needs for our small children - both were still wearing nappies, and Nina was only a 4.5 month baby when we set out on our journey.
One of the concerns what regarding nappy changing: do public toilets have nappy changing facilities? How will we be able to change nappies on the trains? Will we even be able to buy nappies in China?
All of this turned out to be a non-issue - nappies can be easily bought everywhere.
In this post I will give you an overview on what you can expect regarding to nappy changing facilities in public spaces.
Shopping centers
All modern shopping centers accessible toilets that include nappy changing table, very clean and well maintained.
Metro stations
At the metro stations you will most likely find a mother/child room that is intended for nappy changes and breastfeeding, that includes a changing table and an arm chair for the mother to comfortably breastfeed her child.
Train stations
Train stations have a dedicated family space for nappy changes and breastfeeding.
Trains
All the high-speed (350km/h) and medium high-speed (250km/h) have the same layout (which is perfect for orientation) - each train is composed of one or more sets of 8 connected carriages. Disabled toilet with a changing table is always located in the same carriage in the middle of the train (from what I remember it was 5th carriage). The location of the disabled toilet and restaurant is indicated on the back of each seat so you always know where it is.
Tourist hot spots
Major tourist attractions always have an accessible toilet with a nappy changing stations
Restaurants
In restaurants it is not a standard to have a changing table, so you always need to ask. But be prepared that you may need to change the diaper in the toilet floor. In one restaurant in Beijng they just told us to change the nappy on the chair inside the main dining hall, which was a bit weird especially that staff members all stared at us and tried to help. It was however better than a toilet floor.
Old public toilets in the cities
There are still sometimes to be seen the "old school" Chinese public toilets without doors in the less developed areas of the city that are not prime destination for tourism. In that case I would recommend finding a bench or a cafe and not try to use the toilet.
Outdoors
Few times we changed the nappies on a bench and it wasn't much of a problem.
Backup
We always have a very compact travel changing mat with us just in case there is no other option than a bench or a toilet floor. We didn't need it much in China - certainly not more than we do here in Europe.
Conclusion
The current state of public facilities dedicated to small children is very good. In most public spaces the quality of the facilities is good - especially when traveling or getting around big cities using metro you can be always sure to find a place to change a diaper.
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