Toilets in China: What to Expect (Yes, We're Going There)

Let's just answer it: yes, you will encounter squat toilets in China, and no, public restrooms usually don't provide toilet paper. Neither fact needs to ruin your trip — ten minutes of preparation and one small habit cover you completely.

§The reality, by location

• Hotels, airports, high-speed trains, malls, nice restaurants: Western-style seated toilets, often excellent. Major-city malls frequently have Japanese-style bidet seats.
• Tourist sites, older neighborhoods, small towns, train stations: predominantly squat toilets, cleanliness varies.
• The general trend: China's 'toilet revolution' campaign has genuinely upgraded tourist-area facilities over the past decade. It's far better than the horror stories from 2005.

§The three rules

• Carry tissues. Always. A pocket pack of tissues and a small hand sanitizer live in your day bag. Restock from any convenience store for ¥2.
• Don't flush paper. Plumbing in many buildings can't handle it — use the bin beside the toilet. Yes, really. (Modern malls and hotels are usually fine to flush; when in doubt, use the bin.)
• Look for the seated stall. Many public restrooms have one Western toilet — often the accessible stall or the last one in the row. Check the signs on the doors.

§How to actually use a squat toilet

Face the hooded end, feet on the textured pads, squat low (lower is more stable), pockets emptied first. That's genuinely it. First-timers universally report it's less dramatic than feared — and arguably more hygienic, since nothing touches anything.

§Finding a restroom

Public toilets in Chinese cities are free and common — every metro station has one (usually inside the paid area). Maps apps mark them; ask for the cèsuǒ (厕所). Major tourist areas now have multilingual signage.

More practical survival knowledge: the pre-flight checklist and our guide to getting around.

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