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‘Toilet Revolution’

Xicheng District has sent 400 new environmental workers to enforce "the first public toilet management standard in Beijing's history". Local officials expected no more flies or discarded trash are allowed in Beijing's public toilets at any given time.

Some toilets in Beijing are short of running water, flushing mechanisms or toilet paper. Since winning the bid to host the 2008 Olympics, Beijing has been working hard to improve toilet cleanliness.

"This is a move to change the image of Beijing's toilets and make a better impression," a Xicheng sanitation official surnamed Li said.

In July, Beijing vowed to launch "the largest toilet revolution in its history." By September 6, nearly 1,100 public toilets across the city had been upgraded, the Beijing Times reported September 20.

Some new public toilets in popular tourist spots are even ranked by a star system, with the cleanest and most comfortable getting a coveted four stars.