Hi, I was in China back in 01 and am going to be there again in Oct. I had no trouble last time and wore pants most of the time. Hoping to find more western bathrooms this time. The one thing I learned right away was be sure to look and "step down" as you exit. I didn't think about it and almost broke an ankle. Most of the stalls you had to step up to get into, just don't forget as you exit. Also best adivce I have read, be sure to take TP and hand sanitizer. Most important! Have fun!

Ize, that is the BEST advice yet (the walk out ledge). I also almost broke my ankle stepping out of am Eastern toilet stall in Xi'an. There was a four inch drop that I wasn't expecting. As it was, I went flying across the aisle and thankfully slammed into a wall rather than falling to the floor, which would have been oh, so, icky. (to put it mildly)

Thanks BostonHarbor. Hope Lolo reads your reply. It was totally unexpected the first time, but believe me, I will remember to look down this time as I step out of a stall. Going on a 22 day cruise, that ends in China and doing a weeks tour when we arrive there. Yes, landing on that floor would have been more than icky!!!! Glad you (and I) didn't break any ankles! Especially not in a foreign country. Take care!

A special thanks to BostonHarbor and Ize for this VERY helpful bit of information. I will pay extra attention when leaving the restrooms so as not to take a Chinese flop!!

Well, you might still break an ankle but at least it wasn't icky in the bathroom of my tiny apartment in Beijing in the last century. It was a true "bathroom" with the shower head over the squat toilet, imagine that.

Shanghainese - at least you had a bathroom. Some of the apartments in hutongs don't even have one.

Oh, that was post hutong days, my apartment was on the 9th floor of a drab Russian design building where the elevator broke down daily. My hutong dwelling had no shower/bath/toilet, night pot was the mode and I'll stop here.

I agree w/ thursdaysd. When I am in doubt of the cleanliness of the bathroom,(mostly everywhere I travel) I squat anyhow. Sitting down on a toilet seat somehow grosses me out, even lined with all the seat liners/ toilet paper.

to lollylo25............one must assume the stance! Right? I agree with you, don't want to sit even if there is a seat! It really can gross one out!

Okay, can somebody explain to me what hoses are for? I mean, when the squat toilet can be flushed, what is the purpose of this hose? They were all over malaysia.

That's what people use instead of toilet paper. It's why you only touch food with your right hand in many parts of the world....