Is water safe to drink in China?

While water quality is improving, drinking tap water still isn't recommended in China due to the presence of pollution and natural contamination of water supplies.

Bottled water is readily available in China and is usually very cheap, but for environmental reasons, consider other options to save on plastic waste. Bring a reusable bottle or canteen (we recommend at least a 1.5 litre capacity) that can be refilled as needed, or buy some water purifying tablets or a sterilising kit to treat your on water on the go. Some hotels you stay in may have drinking water available in large drums. Your local leader can tell you the best and most sustainable source of filtered water, and where to find it.

Learn more about what to drink in China