Shanghai's notable public lavatories

Most Eco - friendly

Bei'an Road toilet

Address: Bei'an Road,

Yuepu town, Baoshan district

Since it was opened to the public last December, the toilet has not been charged a single cent for electricity consumption - it operates using power generated from the 30 solar panels on its roof. Apart from supporting the facility's energy needs, the electricity generated by these panels can also be used by nearby amenities.

In addition, the central roof of the toilet is built using tempered glass, removing the need for lights to be used during the day.

Designers of the toilet also installed an underground reservoir to store water that people have used to wash their hands. The water is then reused for flushing purposes. The designers said that this recycling method would help to reduce water consumption by half.

Most relaxing

Wangjiangyi No 001 toilet

Address: Junction of Baibu Street and Binjiang Avenue

Besides being a space where people can answer the call of nature, this toilet in Shanghai's Lujiazui financial district also comes with a leisure area where people can enjoy the scenery of the nearby riverside region. Professionals working nearby can often be found relaxing in this recreational zone during their lunch break.

It is expected that more of such toilets will be introduced to the district in the near future.