Do they have toilets in China?
Matthew Barrera
Updated on April 25, 2026
In China, most hotels have standard Western-style toilets. Public restrooms in big cities usually have at least one Western-style toilet which you can choose if you really hate the idea of a squat style toilet. In big cities, most toilets have cubicles with separating walls and a door that offers complete privacy.
How the Chinese go to the toilet?
There are two types of toilet in China, the western style” throne” and the squat toilet. The squat toilet is basically a elongated hole in the floor, with footrests on each sides, and sometimes a splash guard at one end. The user squats down low. And I mean low, if you don't want to splash all over the place.Why are there squat toilets in China?
When the Chinese began integrating toilets into their homes, northerners usually opted for the squat variety. North China suffers from frequent water shortages, so squat toilets were useful for storing night soil, which would then be used to fertilize crops.Do they not use toilet paper in China?
Most public restrooms in China do not provide any toilet paper, while others provide a common roll for visitors to use. According to a China Radio International report, the Temple of Heaven Park has supplied toilet paper in its public toilets for the last 10 years, but found that supplies were quickly exhausted.Can you flush toilet paper in China?
Don't FlushIf you didn't know, you do now – you cannot flush toilet paper in China, even in western toilets. This is mostly due to the older sewage systems and piping. There are some more modern areas and hotels where you can, but unless you're sure, it's better to just toss it.