There is really only one rule for public toilets in China that actually matters: always carry your own tissues. China’s National Health Commission hygiene standards require licensed public toilets to be maintained, but tissue provision is not mandated. Not because the toilets are bad. Because most of them do not provide paper. Not occasionally. Most of the time. The squat toilet that everyone worries about before visiting China is not the hard part. It takes about ten seconds to learn and feels normal within a day. Walking into a toilet without tissues is the mistake. Part of the China packing list.
Key Takeaways
- Always carry pocket tissues. Two packs in your day bag at all times.
- Squat toilets are standard at tourist sites, local restaurants, transport hubs, and outdoor venues.
- Western toilets are reliable at hotels, airports, chain restaurants, and malls.
- Paper-in-bin rule applies at older facilities. Look for the waste bin.
- Find toilets on Amap: search 厕所. Map guide.
- Hand sanitiser in your bag: hand washing not always available near stalls.
Where to Expect Each Type
| Location | Toilet Type | Paper Provided? |
| Hotels (any star rating) | Western | Yes |
| Airports (major) | Western | Yes |
| High-speed train stations | Mix. Western increasingly common. | Sometimes |
| Long-distance bus stations | Squat, usually | No. Bring your own. |
| Tourist attractions (Great Wall, etc.) | Mix of both | Inconsistent. Bring your own. |
| Local restaurants | Usually squat | No. Bring your own. |
| KFC, McDonald’s, Starbucks | Western | Yes |
| Modern shopping malls | Western, often with attendant | Yes |
| Outdoor markets | Squat or none | No. Bring your own. |
| Rural areas | Squat, basic | No. Bring your own. |
How to Use a Squat Toilet: The Quick Version
- Position: stand over the bowl with one foot on each footpad. Face the wall (or the hooded end if there is one). Toes pointing toward the wall.
- Squat: lower until thighs are roughly parallel to the floor. Lean slightly forward. Hold the wall or door handle if needed.
- Your bag: tuck it behind you or hold it. Do not let it hang forward.
- Paper: use your own tissues. Check for a small waste bin. If there is one, paper goes in the bin, not the bowl.
- Flush: button or lever on the wall or floor. Sometimes a dangling chain. In very basic facilities, a bucket and scoop.
What to Pack
- Pocket tissues: 2 to 3 individual packs in your day bag. Buy more at any Chinese convenience store (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) for about ¥5 per pack. Carry them always.
- Wet wipes or antibacterial hand wipes: for when there is no hand-washing station.
- Small hand sanitiser: 50 to 100ml for your bag.
The Hotel Lobby Trick
You are out sightseeing. Nature calls. You need a Western toilet and you need it now. Walk into the nearest four-star or five-star hotel lobby. Go to the ground floor toilets. They are always Western-style, always clean, and always have paper. No one will stop you or ask you to buy anything. This works in every major Chinese city without exception. It is the fastest, most reliable backup plan in China.
Finding a Toilet When You Need One
Open Amap and search ‘toilet’ (it understands English) or type 厕所. The map shows nearby public toilets with walking distance and directions. In emergencies: KFC, McDonald’s, and Starbucks are on almost every major street in Chinese cities. They always have Western toilets. You do not need to buy anything.
Toilet Etiquette
- Paper in the bin: if there is a bin next to the toilet, use it for paper. Better to be safe than block the plumbing.
- Male / female signs: 男 (nán) = male. 女 (nǚ) = female.
- Attendants: many public toilets at tourist sites have attendants who clean. A ¥1 to ¥2 tip is appreciated but not required.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the full packing list including tissues and other essentials, see Packing for China. For finding your way around Chinese cities, see Baidu Maps vs Amap.