Squat toilets are common, especially outside major cities and in older buildings. Tips:

• Always carry tissues/toilet paper — many public restrooms don't provide it
• Used paper goes in the bin next to the toilet, NOT flushed (plumbing often can't handle it)
• Western toilets are available in hotels, malls, airports, and international restaurants
• Look for "洗手间" (xishoujian) signs — means restroom
• Shopping malls usually have the cleanest public restrooms

Pro tip: Download the "China Toilet" mini-program in WeChat to find nearby public restrooms.

Your passport is required at:

• Hotel check-in — they scan it and register you with police
• Train stations — ID check at security and ticket gates
• Major attractions — Forbidden City, Great Wall, etc. require ID
• Some restaurants and bars — occasional spot checks
• Buying a local SIM card

Always carry the physical passport. Keep a photo on your phone as backup. If lost, contact your embassy immediately (numbers in the Emergency section).

Do NOT drink tap water in China — even in 5-star hotels. Always use bottled or boiled water, including for brushing teeth.

• Bottled water costs ¥2-3 (~$0.30) at any convenience store
• Common brands: Nongfu Spring (农夫山泉, red cap), Wahaha, C'estbon
• Hotels provide free bottled water and electric kettles in every room
• Restaurants serve hot boiled water (开水 kai shui) for free — this is safe to drink
• Ice in drinks at reputable restaurants and chains is generally safe (made from purified water)

eSIM with international routing: Some international apps and services are not accessible on local Chinese networks. The easiest solution is a travel eSIM with international routing — it keeps your data routed through overseas servers, so most of your everyday apps continue to work normally. Confirm China coverage with your chosen provider before purchase.

Pro tip: Download offline content (maps, translation packs, entertainment) before your trip in case of connectivity issues.