How to Use Public Toilets and Squat Toilets in China

Before leaving the hotel, put tissues, sanitizer or wet wipes, and a small backup tissue pack in an easy pocket. Do this even in major cities. User reports are consistent: toilet paper and soap are not guaranteed, especially in older public toilets, parks, roadside stops, and mountain areas.

Do not wait until you urgently need a toilet to buy paper.

If you have time, choose a cleaner-probability location: shopping mall, large hotel lobby, museum, airport, high-speed rail station, newer metro station, major attraction, or larger chain restaurant. Government and tourism sources describe years of toilet upgrades at tourist sites, but quality still varies widely by city, location, and maintenance.

Older hutong toilets, roadside stops, rural areas, and mountain toilets can be much more basic.

Useful words: 公共厕所 public toilet, 卫生间 restroom, 洗手间 washroom, 厕所 toilet, 男 men, 女 women, 坐便 sitting toilet, 蹲便 squat toilet, 无障碍 accessible. If you cannot read the sign, use your translation app camera or follow standard restroom icons.

Some locations mark stall doors with squat or sitting icons.

Before entering, look near the sinks or entrance for toilet paper. Some toilets keep one shared roll outside the stalls. Choose a western toilet, accessible stall, or family toilet if you cannot squat safely. If only squat stalls are available, choose the cleanest dry stall with a working lock and a place to keep your bag off the floor.

Accessible toilets are for people who need them; use respectfully and do not block access.

Place your feet on the textured foot pads. Face the raised front of the pan if there is one, or follow the shape of the drain opening. Keep your phone, passport, and bag secure. Move loose clothing forward and clear of the floor. Squat with heels as stable as possible; hold a wall or rail only if it is clean and safe.

If you have knee, balance, pregnancy, injury, or mobility concerns, look for a sitting or accessible toilet instead.

Flush systems vary: lever, button, foot pedal, sensor, or bucket. Follow signs about paper disposal. If a sign says 请勿将纸投入便池 or shows a no-paper icon, use the bin. Wash hands if soap is available and sanitize after leaving, especially if the sink or soap situation is poor.

A small amount of paper may flush in some newer toilets, but signage and local plumbing should lead.

If the toilet is too dirty, lacks privacy, has no safe stall, or is physically hard for you, leave and choose a better fallback. Malls, hotels, large stations, museums, and modern attractions are usually the best next move. Restaurant toilets can be inconsistent; public toilets may be better or worse depending on location.

No-shame rule: if it feels unsafe or impossible, switch.