I'm just wondering if it's advisable to wear sandals while out and about in China. China's not the cleanest country and that got rethinking my plans for getting a pair of sandals made for the trip. It would certainly save me a bit of money (I need custom orthotics)

I know some others here disagree, but I will not wear sandals at most places in China. Not because of dust/dirt, but because of the lack of personal space. I want my toes being better protected.

And don't forget you may want to avoid wearing open-toed shoes in a less than pristine public toilet in China...

I suggest you wear it if you want.
many my tourists wear sandals.
in summer,Chinese would like to wear it, too.

Save your money on the custom sandals, you'll be much more comfortable with your regular walking shoes out and about.

I wear supports too because of my flat feet, but the new sandals (not flip flops) are just wonderful:

They have great arch supports, and some (Keen's) also have toe coverings and they can be used even for hiking. I just bought a pair and have to break them in, before the May trip to Huangshan. I'm just waiting for all the snow to melt here on the streets before wearing sandals!!

I live in my Tevas and wore them all thru China including climbing the Great Wall. Wear whatever shoes your feet love the most. I carried baby wipes for when I needed to "wash up" and used them on my feet when needed.

I would not wear sandals in China, and living in China has turned me phobic about wearing sandals anywhere. Something I hope I get over when we move back to the States because it is seriously ruining my fashion cred! People still spit everywhere (and worse) and I just cannot bear to expose my bare feet to the filthy streets. For the same reason, I also remove my shoes when entering my home. Plus, using a primitive loo in sandals is unimaginable to me. Anyway, it totally depends on how finicky you are. I really wish I could get over the mental hump and wear sandals here. But I really can't.

I agree with petitpois, she lives there! Unless it's the Keen type sandals with covered toes Johnmango mentioned, still I'd wear cotton socks with them.

There must be a reason the chinese locals leave their shoes outside their homes and change into house slippers before entering, this custom extends to guests. Some chinese in the U.S. observe this custom too.

petitpois: Talking about fashion cred, did you notice the chinese women wearing short nylons with their open-toe sandals?

Shanghainese -- LOL we call those "pop socks" and they're often seen with the full-face shaded visor, long elbow gloves and umbrella (to protect yourself from the sun, natch)!

Taken from wikipedia

Traditionally, shoes are not worn in households in nations such as Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, nor in certain holy places elsewhere, such as many Buddhist temples. The typical expectation is that shoes will be removed in the foyer and left neatly with toes pointing outside. Socks or stocking should be very clean and in good condition. In regions where shoes are not worn in houses these rules also apply to restaurants except for those that have Western-style tables and chairs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette_in_Asia#Shoes

I applies to much of Asia including China, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. It is considered rude and bad upbringing.