China's lack of clean toilets has long been a nightmare for tourists. (Photo : Reuters)
In an effort to boost tourism, the Chinese government will build new restrooms and repair the existing ones at scenic spots across China.
According to report, 33,500 public restrooms are going to be constructed in tourist sites, transportation facilities and entertainment hubs in the coming years.
The National Tourism Administration is targeting to complete all the restrooms by 2017 and achieve the "three-star" rating, which includes separate toilets for men and women and free toilet paper. The said toilets will be ranked based on the number of toilet bowls, pans, resting area and outer facilities.
At present, tourists would normally opt not to heed nature's call due to the absurd conditions of Chinese toilets in tourist sites. Tourists who can no longer ignore their urge to urinate would hold their breath and enter the toilets and brave the putrid odor and mess.
According to the government's survey, toilets are a decisive factor in tourists' choice of China as a place to visit.
Chief analyst for the National Public Opinion Poll Lab Liu Zhiming said that "many big scenic spots in China have only a few toilets, and some small ones don't have any."
Liu added: "The most famous scenic spots usually have sufficient toilet facilities, while those off the beaten track are poorly equipped in most cases."
Poor toilet conditions and sometimes the absence of toilets has been a source of irritation for most tourists visiting China. Tourists, when in China, would normally check out the toilet conditions upon chatting with fellow tourists before actually visiting a scenic place.
