If you’re planning your first trip to China, you may have come across warnings about squat toilets, toilet paper and whether paper can be flushed.
The reality is less complicated.
You’ll encounter squat toilets, but seated toilets are also common. Some restrooms are modern and spotless; others are basic. Toilet paper may or may not be provided.
A few things are worth knowing before you go.
Are Public Toilets Free in China?
Yes.
Public toilets in China are free to use.
In remote areas, you may occasionally come across a privately operated toilet that charges a small fee. That is different from a public toilet.
One source of confusion is toilet paper. Some public toilets sell tissues near the entrance, so a payment machine or QR code may be for the paper, not for entering the toilet.
Will There Be Toilet Paper?
Maybe.
Some toilets provide paper in each stall. Others have a dispenser near the entrance or washing area. Some have none. And sometimes the dispenser is simply empty.
Carry a small pack of tissues.
Even if you rarely need them, there’s little reason to gamble on the next toilet having paper.
Are Toilets in China Squat or Seated?
Both.
Squat toilets are common in public restrooms, while seated toilets are easy to find in many hotels, airports, shopping malls, transport facilities and tourist areas. Some restrooms have both.
When stalls are marked, the icons are usually easy to understand: a toilet-seat icon for a seated toilet and a squat-toilet icon for a squat toilet.
Sometimes there is no sign or icon.
In that case, there is a useful clue. Squat-toilet stalls are often slightly raised above the surrounding floor, while seated-toilet stalls are more often level with it.
This isn’t a rule, but it can tell you which stall to check first.
What If I Can't Use a Squat Toilet?
If you have knee or mobility problems, are recovering from surgery or simply cannot comfortably squat, don’t wait until you urgently need a toilet before looking for a seated one.
Use a suitable toilet when you find one at your hotel, airport, railway station, shopping mall or another major facility.
You do not need to learn to use a squat toilet just because you’re visiting China.
Can You Flush Toilet Paper in China?
It depends on the toilet.
Some facilities ask you to put paper in a waste bin, particularly where the plumbing is more prone to blockage. Facial tissues, wet wipes and other paper products may also cause problems because they do not break down like toilet paper.
Follow the instructions in the restroom you are using.
If it says to use the bin, use the bin. “Never flush toilet paper in China” is not a rule that applies everywhere.
Are Public Toilets in China Clean?
It varies.
Airports, modern hotels, shopping malls and newer transport facilities can have very good restrooms. Elsewhere, you may encounter smells, wet floors or facilities that feel basic compared with what you are used to.
Very basic toilets still exist in some rural and remote areas, but most travelers on standard city routes won't encounter them.
Are Public Toilets Easy to Find?
In cities and major travel areas, usually yes.
Airports, railway stations, shopping malls, tourist attractions and public toilet facilities are obvious places to look. Some cities also provide digital ways to find nearby toilets.
If you’re heading somewhere rural or remote, use a toilet when you have the opportunity rather than assuming another one will be nearby.
If you specifically need a seated toilet, the same advice applies: don't wait until it becomes urgent.