Travel Essentials

Public Toilets in China: What Travelers Should Know

A practical guide to public toilets in China, including squat toilets, toilet paper, where to find restrooms and what travelers should carry.

Updated September 20264 min read

Public toilets are generally easy to find in Chinese cities.

You will commonly find them in:

Metro and railway stations
Shopping malls
Tourist attractions
Parks
Airports
Hotels
Restaurants
Public streets

The main things foreign travelers should know are simple:

You may encounter squat toilets, toilet paper is not always provided, and carrying tissues is a good idea.

Squat Toilets or Western Toilets?

You may find both.

Many public restrooms contain:

Squat toilets
Western-style seated toilets
A combination of both

Modern:

Airports
Shopping malls
Hotels
High-speed railway stations

are more likely to offer seated toilets as well.

At older or smaller public facilities, squat toilets may be more common.

How Do You Use a Squat Toilet?

Stand with your feet on the raised foot areas and face the front of the toilet.

Keep:

Phone
Passport
Wallet

secure before squatting.

Loose items can easily fall from pockets.

If you prefer a seated toilet, check the other stalls first — many restrooms have more than one toilet type.

Is Toilet Paper Provided?

Sometimes.

But do not assume it will always be available.

Some public toilets:

Provide paper inside each stall
Have one large dispenser near the entrance
Do not provide paper at all

Beijing's official visitor guidance specifically recommends carrying your own supply.

A small pack of tissues in your day bag is one of the most useful things to carry in China.

Can You Flush Toilet Paper?

This varies by facility.

If there is a sign asking you to put used paper in a bin, follow the sign.

Older plumbing systems may not handle large amounts of paper well.

In modern facilities, normal toilet paper may often be flushable, but local instructions should always take priority.

Do not flush:

Wet wipes
Sanitary products
Other rubbish

unless explicitly permitted.

Is Soap Always Available?

Not always.

Many modern toilets provide:

Running water
Soap
Hand dryers

but smaller or older facilities may not.

Carrying a small bottle of hand sanitizer or wet wipes is useful.

Where Are the Best Public Toilets?

If you have a choice, facilities in these places are usually easiest for travelers:

Shopping malls
Airports
High-speed railway stations
Large metro stations
Hotels
Museums
Major tourist attractions

They are also more likely to have:

Seated toilets
Better signage
Accessible stalls
Soap and handwashing facilities

How Do You Find a Toilet?

Look for signs such as:

Toilet

or:

卫生间

You may also see:

洗手间

Both commonly refer to restrooms.

Maps and local mini-programs can also help.

For example, Shanghai provides a WeChat service for locating nearby public toilets.

Are Public Toilets Free?

Many public toilets in Chinese cities are free.

Facilities in:

Streets
Parks
Stations
Shopping malls
Tourist areas

are commonly available without a separate toilet fee.

What About Toilets on High-Speed Trains?

Chinese high-speed trains have onboard toilets.

Depending on the train, you may find:

Western-style toilets
Squat toilets
Accessible toilets

Facilities vary by train model.

What About Metro Stations?

Many metro systems have toilets in at least some stations.

The toilet may be:

Inside the paid area
In the concourse
Near a particular exit

Look for station signs or ask staff.

Accessible Toilets

Modern transport hubs, airports and large attractions often provide accessible restrooms.

You may also see:

Family toilets
Baby-care rooms
Accessible stalls

Availability varies by location.

What Should You Carry?

For ordinary sightseeing days, we recommend carrying:

Small pack of tissues
Hand sanitizer
Wet wipes if you use them
A small bag for personal hygiene items

That is usually all you need.

Common Mistakes

Assuming every toilet has paper

Carry tissues.

Avoiding squat toilets completely

Check the other stalls first — there may be a seated toilet available.

Putting your phone in a loose pocket

Secure valuables before using a squat toilet.

Flushing wipes

Wet wipes can cause plumbing problems. Dispose of them according to local signs.

Public toilets in China are generally not difficult to find.

For most travelers, the only preparation needed is:

carry tissues and hand sanitizer.

Expect a mix of squat and seated toilets, follow local disposal signs, and use malls, hotels or major transport hubs when you want more comfortable facilities.

That is really all you need to know.

Official Sources

This guide was checked against information published by:

Beijing Municipal Government visitor guidance
Shanghai Municipal Government tourism services
Chinese government information on public sanitation and tourism facilities

Facilities vary between cities and individual locations. Follow local signs and instructions when available.