The National Tourism Administration of China has released a revised draft of the construction and sanitary regulations for toilets in public areas. The administration anticipates that all facilities will follow the standards set by the end of 2016.

Tourists visiting China should not only expect clean and odor-free comfort rooms, but also high-tech Westernized style toilets equipped with flat screen televisions, ATMs, WiFi, charging stations and even sofas.

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The revised draft also covers non-tourists locations like transportation terminals, entertainment venues, dining locations and shopping centers - a more efficient move compared with the star-rated evaluation system.

Other than the basic standard requirements for the minimum level A-certification, facilities that aim for a higher or the highest AAA rating are required to meet a broader criteria, for example, building toilet facilities with musical backgrounds or providing wheelchair rental services.

The administration's deputy director Li Shihong revealed that well-managed public comfort rooms are vital in boosting tourism in the country, especially in places where the entire city is being promoted rather than a specific tourist spot alone. He added that the administration will review tourists' feedback and comments and will notify facilities to improve where necessary. Failure to improve will land some facilities in thr tourism toilet blacklist.

Other strategies like installing a restroom locator apps is being planned to help visitors find the nearest comfort room. 

Last year, China initiated a three-year drive to build some 33,000 comfort rooms and renovate 24,000 existing facilities. This year, the country will be investing 1.25 million yuan ($192,000) to build or overhaul public toilets.

Tagschina, modern public rooms, 5th Space, China toilets