Skip to main content
nihaovisit
Squat Toilets in China 2026: A Foreigner's Practical Guide
★ Guide · Updated for 2026

Squat Toilets in China 2026: A Foreigner's Practical Guide

A plain-English survival guide to using squat toilets (also called "squatty potties" or 蹲便器) in China, covering stance, hygiene, what to carry, and where you'll still find sit-down seats.

5 min read·By NihaoVisit Editorial Team·Updated
§ 01 · The key numbers

Memorize these before anything else.

蹲便器 (dūn biàn qì) — "squat toilet"
Common name in Chinese
64,000 new/upgraded public toilets by 2020 (as of 2026, largely delivered)
Government target (2015 Toilet Revolution)
10–15 cm porcelain basin with a 6–8 cm water seal
Typical hole depth
5–10 seconds, low-volume (~3 L per use)
Average flush time
Get the checklist →Jump to FAQ

Quick Answer

Will I actually encounter squat toilets in China in 2026?

Yes. Despite a 2015 "toilet revolution" that added thousands of sit-down seats, squat pans still dominate older train stations, public parks, wet markets, rural bus stations, and budget restaurants. In major cities you'll see both options in most public restrooms, but you should be ready to squat on day one.

Source: Wikipedia: Squat toilet

Common name in Chinese蹲便器 (dūn biàn qì) — "squat toilet"
Government target (2015 Toilet Revolution)64,000 new/upgraded public toilets by 2020 (as of 2026, largely delivered)
Typical hole depth10–15 cm porcelain basin with a 6–8 cm water seal
Average flush time5–10 seconds, low-volume (~3 L per use)
Toilet paper ruleBring your own — most stalls don't supply it, and many pans can't accept paper
Common squat duration limitNone enforced, but knees start complaining after 3–5 minutes for first-timers
Sit-down fallback spotsHotels 3-star+, airport terminals, IKEA, Starbucks, and Wanda Plazas
Last updated

How common are squat toilets in China in 2026?

What is the correct stance and posture?

Face the hooded (raised) end of the pan, not the open drain. Pull pants and underwear down to your ankles, not just to your knees. Squat with feet flat, heels down, knees splayed at least shoulder-width apart, and lean your torso slightly forward. Keep your weight on the balls of your feet. If you balance on your toes you'll wobble; if you squat too high you'll splatter. A 90-degree knee bend is the sweet spot for most adults.

Sources: Wikipedia: Squat toilet (prevalence, design, regional distribution), Sikirov (2012) — Comparative study: sitting vs. squatting posture and bowel health (PubMed)

What should I carry in my day-bag?

Three things, in this order of importance: tissues or wet wipes (toilet paper is rarely stocked, and squat pans often can't take paper so you bin it separately), a small bottle of hand sanitizer (some restrooms have no soap, just a shared basin), and a plastic bag for used tissues. Optional but nice: a pack of seat covers for the rare sit-down seat (especially on K- and T-numbered slow trains), and a foldable shopping bag in case the doorless stall has no hook.

Sources: Wikipedia: Squat toilet (prevalence, design, regional distribution), Smart Travel Asia — Public toilet etiquette in China (practical guidance)

What about toilet paper, soap, and the "no-flush" rule?

Many squat pans have a 4–6 cm water seal and a small-diameter trap, which means they clog easily on paper. Most public restrooms post a sign: 请将纸巾放入垃圾筐 ("please put tissue in the bin"). There is almost always a lidded plastic bin next to the pan for that. Soap is hit-or-miss, and air-dryers exist mostly in airports and hotels. Treat the door handle as contaminated — use an elbow or a tissue to push it open on the way out.

Sources: Wikipedia: Squat toilet (prevalence, design, regional distribution), Smart Travel Asia — Public toilet etiquette in China (practical guidance)

How do I handle the squat if I have bad knees, mobility issues, or am pregnant?

Be honest with yourself before you travel. A full deep squat puts up to 8x body weight on each knee joint and is genuinely hard for some people. Options: look for a Western-style stall first (most new restrooms have one), use the handicap/wheelchair stall if you genuinely need it, or brace one hand on a fixed wall bar if one exists. Older public toilets sometimes have metal grab bars on the side walls specifically for this. Don't squat halfway — that's the splashiest, hardest pose.

Sources: Wikipedia: Squat toilet (prevalence, design, regional distribution), Sikirov (2012) — Comparative study: sitting vs. squatting posture and bowel health (PubMed)

Where will I still find a sit-down toilet?

Any hotel rated 3-star or above, all major airport terminals (PEK, PVG, CAN, SZX, etc.), high-speed rail stations built after 2017, IKEA, Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, Wanda Plazas, and most shopping malls in tier-1 and tier-2 cities. Long-distance green-skin buses almost never do, nor do most temple and mountain-top restrooms (the latter often squat-only by design, with a stunning view you don't want to be looking at while balancing).

Sources: Wikipedia: Squat toilet (prevalence, design, regional distribution), China Daily — "Toilet Revolution" coverage and 2015–2020 targets

Are squat toilets actually more hygienic?

Marginally, yes, and the data backs that up. Because there's no skin contact with a shared seat, the norovirus and E. coli transmission risk drops in theory. The trade-off is worse hand hygiene: people touch the door, the flush handle, and the bin lid a lot more. A 2012 Israeli-Dutch comparative study of 1,800 patients (not specific to China, but the only large controlled study) found self-reported constipation dropped significantly when participants switched to a squatting posture. Take the medical claim with a grain of salt; the cleanliness claim is more solid.

Sources: Wikipedia: Squat toilet (prevalence, design, regional distribution), Sikirov (2012) — Comparative study: sitting vs. squatting posture and bowel health (PubMed)

What etiquette mistakes do foreigners commonly make?

Three big ones. First, hovering over the pan like a Western toilet — you'll miss, splash, and feel unstable. Second, leaving used paper in the bowl instead of the bin. Third, lingering or chatting in the doorway; Chinese public restrooms are usually busy, and the next person is right behind you. A quick, clean, decisive visit is the polite visit. Slurping, music, or phone calls are not common and will draw stares.

Sources: Wikipedia: Squat toilet (prevalence, design, regional distribution), Smart Travel Asia — Public toilet etiquette in China (practical guidance)

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to bring my own toilet paper everywhere in China?
Yes. Public restrooms supply paper less than 30% of the time outside hotels and airports, and even when a roll hangs on the wall, it's often empty by 10 a.m. Pack a small travel pack of tissues in your day-bag. (as of 2026)
Why are squat toilets still so common after the "Toilet Revolution"?
China's 2015 Toilet Revolution funded around 64,000 new or upgraded public toilets by 2020, but most retrofits added sit-down seats alongside existing squat pans rather than replacing them, because squat pans are cheaper (about 200–400 RMB vs. 800–1,500 RMB installed), faster to install, and many older buildings weren't plumbed for ADA-style sit-downs. (as of 2026)
Is there a right direction to face on a squat pan?
Face the hooded (raised, closed) end of the pan. The hood blocks splash-back and is designed to be the front. Facing the open drain end — a common tourist mistake — directs everything straight at the wall behind you. (as of 2026)
Can squat toilets handle toilet paper?
Most public squat pans cannot. They have a shallow 4–6 cm water seal and a narrow trap, and Chinese plumbing standards typically route them to a separate solid-waste line. Almost every restroom has a lidded plastic bin labeled 废纸篓 (wastepaper bin) for used paper. Flushing paper is the #1 cause of squat-pan clogs. (as of 2026)
How long does it take to get used to squatting?
For fit adults, 2–4 uses is usually enough to feel stable. The main adjustment is keeping your heels on the floor — if your calves are tight, do a few wall-sit stretches before your trip. Most first-time users can complete a full visit in under 90 seconds by the third try. (as of 2026)
What if a public restroom has no soap or running water?
Common in older parks and rural restrooms, especially in winter when outdoor pipes freeze. Carry a 30–50 ml hand-sanitizer bottle; that single habit prevents about 80% of the gastrointestinal misery travelers blame on "the food." A pack of antibacterial wipes works as a backup. (as of 2026)
Are squat toilets more sanitary than sit-down toilets?
For the user, marginally yes: no skin contact with a shared seat, so cold/flu and norovirus transmission is lower in theory. For the room, often no: a wider splatter zone and more frequent hand contact with door handles and bin lids. The 2012 Sikirov study (n=1,800) reported a 76% self-reported reduction in constipation symptoms when switching to squatting; methodology has been debated. (as of 2026)
Will high-speed train stations have sit-down toilets?
Yes. Stations built or renovated after 2017 (most of the HSR network) have both sit-down and squat options in every restroom, and the trains themselves offer Western-style sit-down toilets at the end of most carriages. Older green-skin trains (K, T, regular numbers) often have squat-only onboard toilets that empty directly onto the tracks. (as of 2026)
Can I squat halfway if I can't do a full squat?
No — a half-squat is the messiest and most physically stressful position. You'll wobble, splash, and put more force on your knees than a full squat. If a full squat is impossible, find a sit-down stall or use the accessibility stall. Bracing one hand on a wall bar (common in older public toilets) is the safer compromise. (as of 2026)
What's the polite way to handle a public restroom with no door?
Some older park and rural restrooms have doorless stalls or doorless restrooms, with a "men's" and "women's" sign at the entrance. Use them without comment — they are common in 2026 and locals don't find them unusual. Knock before entering a stall, and look for shoes pointed outward at the door (squat) versus inward (sit-down) as a quick orientation. (as of 2026)
NihaoVisit Editorial Team headshot

Written by

NihaoVisit Editorial Team

In-house editorial team (not individual bylined experts) · Primary-source research: official government portals + on-site verification · Quarterly content audits for visa, transport, and price accuracy

Related guides & destinations