Nice, Clean Squat Toilet

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Originally uploaded by jstarrdewar.

Ok, while we’re on gross-out subjects… I have to prepare you for something important before you visit me in Kunming.

China’s bathroom technology has really progressed in recent years. First there was indoor plumbing and then bathrooms. Even so, you can still find apartments without these luxaries — so public toilets and showers are commonly available outside older apartment complexes.

On your visit here, you may not have to deal with public showers, but you may find yourself at a public toilet once or twice. These are unpleasant places: smelly and not so private. You usually have to pay 1 mao (1/10th of 1 RMB = $0.01), and if you forgot to bring your own, you may be able to purchase an overpriced pack of toilet paper for 1 RMB ($0.12).

You may already know about “squat” toilets. These are either holes or troughs that you squat over to use the toilet. All public toilets will be like this. The only exception to this rule is the token “western” toilet (the traditional throne) in the ladies room at the airport or sometimes at a university.

Most restaurants and coffee shops will not have a toilet. When cafes or bars have toilets, they are for urination (pee, number 1) only. You cannot poo (poop, crap, shit, number 2) in these toilets. There are often amusing signs informing you about this in multiple languages, threatening enormous fines for violators of this (very important) rule.

No matter where you go — outside of our home and your hotel room, you must carry toilet paper with you. It’s available at any convenience store in handy little packets.

Ok. Now here’s the bad part: You cannot flush toilet paper. Really. Not allowed anywhere. Not at the hotel, not at our house, not at the airport. The plumbing is just not good enough and you will instantly have a toilet running over. Yuck. Used toilet paper must be put in the trashcan beside the toilet. Wrapping is advised, but is a courtesy not always practiced in public bathrooms.