Quick Answer
Do not drink tap water directly in China.
This is normal local practice and not a sign of poor hygiene.
Use bottled water or boiled water provided by hotels. Follow this rule and you will avoid almost all water-related issues.
The Core Reality (Why This Rule Exists)
Tap water in China is:
- Treated and safe for washing
- Not guaranteed safe for direct drinking
- Affected by building-level pipes
- Variable by city and neighborhood
Because of this, locals do not drink it unboiled.
What Locals Actually Do
Locals typically:
- Boil tap water before drinking
- Use electric kettles daily
- Buy bottled water for convenience
- Use water dispensers at home or work
Avoiding raw tap water is standard behavior.
Exact Actions: How to Drink Water Safely
1. Use bottled water for drinking
- Buy sealed bottled water
- Available everywhere
- Use it for:
- Drinking
- Brushing teeth (if cautious)
- Taking medicine
This is the simplest option.
2. Use boiled water in hotels
Most hotels provide:
- Electric kettles
- Complimentary bottled water
If you boil water yourself, let it cool before drinking.
3. Do not drink directly from the tap
Even in:
- Major cities
- Modern hotels
- High-end apartments
Direct tap drinking is not recommended.
What Is Safe to Do With Tap Water
Tap water is safe for:
- Showering
- Washing hands
- Washing clothes
- Rinsing fruits (before peeling)
Do not confuse washing safety with drinking safety.
Common Myths to Ignore
- “It’s fine in big cities” → still not recommended
- “Hotels have better pipes” → pipes vary by building
- “I drank some and felt fine” → risk is inconsistent
- “Boiling is old-fashioned” → it is the standard solution
The rule exists because it works.
Failure Scenarios & Fixes
- You accidentally drank tap water: do not panic; switch to bottled water.
- Hotel has no bottled water: boil water or buy nearby.
- You need water at night: keep bottles in the room.
- You are unsure about ice: ice in restaurants is usually made from filtered water, but avoid if sensitive.
- You feel unwell: switch to sealed bottled water only.
Consistency matters more than perfection.
Reality Check
- Water rules are simple.
- Bottled water is cheap and common.
- Locals follow these rules daily.
- Ignoring the rule is unnecessary risk.
There is no upside to drinking tap water.
What Locals Do Instead
- Locals boil water.
- Locals carry bottled water.
- Locals keep kettles at home.
- Locals avoid raw tap water entirely.
Do the same.
Checklist
- Bottled water purchased.
- Hotel kettle located.
- No direct tap drinking.
- Bottled water used for medicine.
- Extra bottles kept at night.