I encountered my first squat toilet in China. I had questions. Many questions.

ChinaTravelMemo

My friend from the UK was exploring the Summer Palace in Beijing. Nature called. She found a public toilet.

It had no seat. Just a porcelain hole in the floor. Two foot grooves on either side.

She stared at it for 30 seconds. She had never used a squat toilet before.

The process:

She eventually figured it out. But not before nearly falling in.

Step 1: Face the hood/flush mechanism (usually at the front).
Step 2: Place feet on the grooved footrests.
Step 3: Squat low. Lower than you think.
Step 4: Do your business. Aim for the hole.
Step 5: Flush (usually a foot pedal or wall-mounted handle).

She emerged victorious. Shaky-legged. But victorious.

What foreigners should know:

Toilet paper: Bring your own. Most public toilets don't provide it. There's often a dispenser at the entrance (bring small bills/WeChat). If not, you're on your own.

The trash can: In many Chinese toilets, there's a small trash can next to the squat. You're supposed to put used toilet paper in the trash, not the toilet. The plumbing in older buildings can't handle paper.

No doors: Some rural or older public toilets have stalls with half walls, no doors, or no walls at all. It's cultural. Don't panic.

No flush: Some older toilets are just a trough with running water. You squat over it. Everything flows downstream.

Smart toilets: At the other extreme, modern shopping malls and hotels have Japanese-style smart toilets: heated seats, bidet functions, music, deodorizers. China has both extremes.

The squat toilet advantages:

• More hygienic — no shared seat surface
• Better for digestion — squatting is the natural human position
• Builds leg strength
• Keeps you humble

Where to find Western toilets:

• International hotels
• Modern shopping malls (Plaza 66, SKP, Taikoo Hui)
• Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC
• Major airports
• High-speed rail business class lounges

Where you'll find squat toilets:
• Train stations (even big ones)
• Public parks
• Tourist attractions
• Small restaurants
• Rural areas

Tips:

• Always carry pocket tissues or wet wipes
• Wear shoes you don't mind getting slightly splashed
• Zip up your pockets — things fall out when you squat
• Don't wear long flowy pants or skirts — they touch the floor
• Hand sanitizer is your best friend
• If you see a Western toilet in a public place, use it even if you don't need to. Opportunity may not come again.

My friend's summary:

"I went from 'I will never use that' to 'actually my quads look great' in about 3 weeks. The first time is terrifying. The tenth time is just Tuesday."

Anyone else have a memorable toilet experience in China?