Public restrooms in Shanghai are no longer just spaces where you can answer nature's call: they've been transformed into comfortable, user-friendly areas designed for relaxation.

The city has continuously enhanced its restroom facilities, striving to create cooler, smarter, and more convenient spaces, now equipped with modern amenities like air conditioning, phone charging stations, and even on-site barber services.

Green restroom: A fresh take on sanitation

Nestled in the Garden of Nature Voice in Jing'an district, this green restroom stands out with its vertical green facade. Open 24/7, it offers a unisex toilet and is equipped with air conditioning.

At the entrance, benches and a canopy provide shelter from the rain, offering a peaceful resting spot for citizens,  including gig workers such as food delivery riders.

Smart restroom: The future of convenience

In Jing'an Sculpture Park, a smart restroom is equipped with sensor faucets, automatic hand dryers, and advanced smart toilets that reduce physical contact while enhancing convenience. The restroom also features energy-saving lighting, ensuring optimal illumination at night while controlling power consumption.

Summer cooling stations: Providing relief for outdoor workers

Since last year, over 400 public restrooms in Pudong New Area have been equipped with fridges stocked with ice packs, offering instant relief to outdoor sanitation workers from the summer heat.

Once basic replenishment points, these restrooms have been transformed into comfortable havens, now featuring seating, hot and cold water, and charging ports, where workers can take a well-deserved break.

Toilets with barber services: A touch of comfort

In Jiankang Park, Fengxian district, a restroom designed to cater to both the elderly and children offers barrier-free facilities, a mother-baby room, and a unisex toilet.

Additionally, the service station is equipped with seating, offering a warm resting spot for outdoor workers 24/7. Monthly volunteer services, such as haircuts and blood pressure checks, further enhance the experience.

Finding public restrooms in Shanghai

When nature calls, don't worry about finding a restroom in Shanghai. A convenient WeChat mini-program can help you locate the nearest facilities.

Simply search for "上海智慧寻厕” (Find a toilet in Shanghai) in WeChat, and you'll be presented with a map of nearby facilities.

Blue icons indicate the open restrooms, while the grey icons show those that are closed. The blue ones with a small purple icon signify restrooms that have been upgraded for the elderly and infants.

Click on a blue icon to view the restroom's information, including opening hours and user reviews. The map's navigation feature will then guide you to the location.

There are other ways to find public restrooms in Shanghai. You can type "公厕” (Public toilet) into the search bar of the Gaode Map (Amap) app, which will display the locations of nearby restrooms.

Sources: WeChat account "shanghaifabu", Shanghai Landscaping and City Appearance Administrative Bureau