Drinking Water in China: Hotels, Bottled Water & 开水 Culture (2025 Guide)

Quick answer: Don't drink tap water in China. Use bottled water, boiled water (开水), or filtered water. Hotel kettles are safe—this is how most Chinese people drink water.

Here's everything you need to know about staying hydrated in China.

The Golden Rule

Never drink unboiled tap water in China.

This applies everywhere:

• Hotels ❌
• Restaurants ❌
• Airports ❌
• Train stations ❌
• Anywhere ❌

However, boiled tap water is safe—and this is exactly what most Chinese people drink.

Understanding 开水 (Boiled Water) Culture

What is 开水?

开水 (kāi shuǐ) literally means "opened water" but really means boiled water.

This is the default drinking water in China:

• Every home has an electric kettle
• Every office has a hot water dispenser
• Train stations have free hot water machines
• Restaurants serve hot water by default

Why Hot Water?

Traditional Chinese Medicine believes:

• Cold water is bad for digestion
• Hot water promotes circulation
• Warm drinks are healthier

Practical reality: Boiling kills bacteria and parasites that may be in tap water.

Getting Used to It

Western travelers often find the hot water culture surprising:

• Restaurants bring hot water, not ice water
• "Room temperature" water isn't cold
• Ice is rare except in Western chains

Tip: Order bottled water if you want cold drinks.

Hotel Water Safety

The Hotel Kettle

Yes, the hotel kettle is safe to use.

Common concerns:

• "What if previous guests boiled weird things?" → Staff clean them
• "Is the water itself safe?" → Boiling makes it safe
• "What about mineral buildup?" → Normal, harmless

How Chinese travelers use hotel rooms:

1. Fill kettle with tap water
2. Boil
3. Let cool or drink hot
4. Repeat

Should You Use It?

Completely fine for:

• Coffee/tea making ✅
• Rinsing mouth ✅
• Drinking (after cooling) ✅

Use bottled water for:

• Drinking straight ✅
• Brushing teeth (optional extra caution) ✅
• Mixing with formula/medication ✅

Hotel Bottled Water

Most hotels provide:

• Free bottled water (typically 2 bottles)
• Restocked daily by housekeeping
• Safe, sealed, reliable

If you need more: Ask front desk or buy from hotel shop/nearby convenience store.

Bottled Water Guide

Where to Buy

Convenience stores (best option):

• 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson
• Every corner in cities
• Cold options available

Supermarkets:

• Cheaper by the case
• Good for long stays

Vending machines:

• Common in subway, malls, streets
• Use cash, WeChat Pay, or Alipay

Train stations/airports:

• Widely available
• Slightly more expensive

Popular Brands

Budget (¥2-3):

• 农夫山泉 (Nongfu Spring) - Most popular
• 怡宝 (C'estbon/Yibao)
• 康师傅 (Master Kong)
• 娃哈哈 (Wahaha)

Mid-range (¥4-8):

• 百岁山 (Ganten)
• 昆仑山 (Kunlun)

Premium (¥8-20+):

• 依云 (Evian)
• 斐济 (Fiji)
• 巴黎水 (Perrier)

Cost

Size	Price
550ml	¥2-3
1.5L	¥4-6
5L (budget)	¥8-12
Premium imports	¥10-20+

Much cheaper than Western countries.

Sparkling Water

Less common but available:

• 苏打水 (sū dá shuǐ) - Soda water
• 气泡水 (qì pào shuǐ) - Sparkling water
• Perrier, S.Pellegrino in upscale stores
• ¥8-15 per bottle

Restaurant Water

What to Expect

Default service: You'll get 热水 (rè shuǐ) - hot water, or 温水 (wēn shuǐ) - warm water

At upscale restaurants: May ask: "请问要什么水?" (What water would you like?)

At Western chains: More likely to have cold water or ice

How to Order

Request	Chinese	Pinyin
Hot water	热水	rè shuǐ
Warm water	温水	wēn shuǐ
Cold water	冷水/冰水	lěng shuǐ / bīng shuǐ
Bottled water	矿泉水	kuàng quán shuǐ
Sparkling water	气泡水	qì pào shuǐ
No ice	不要冰	bù yào bīng
With ice	加冰	jiā bīng

Is Restaurant Water Free?

• Hot water: Usually free 免费 ✅
• Bottled water: Charged ¥3-10
• Some upscale places charge for everything

Tip: If you see bottles on the table, they're for purchase, not free.

Water in Train Stations

Free Hot Water Machines

Every train station has:

• 开水机 (kāi shuǐ jī) - Hot water machines
• Free to use
• Look for the boiling water symbol ♨️

How to use:

1. Bring your own bottle/cup
2. Press button/lever
3. Fill with hot water

Caution: Water is BOILING hot. Let it cool.

Buying Water in Stations

• Convenience stores inside
• Vending machines
• Before security: normal prices (¥2-3)
• After security: slightly higher (¥3-5)

Pro tip: Buy water before entering the station for best prices.

Water on Trains

On High-Speed Trains (高铁)

Hot water available:

• From hot water dispenser in each car
• Free, 24/7
• Bring your own cup

Dining car:

• Bottled water available
• Higher prices (¥5-10)

Vendors:

• Cart service sells bottled water
• Every hour or so on long routes

On Regular Trains

• Hot water from dispensers (free)
• Less frequent cart service
• Bring supplies for long journeys

Staying Hydrated: Tips

Carry a Bottle

Bring a reusable bottle:

• Fill from hotel kettle (cooled)
• Refill at train stations
• Buy bottled water as backup

For Long Days Out

• Start with full bottle from hotel
• Buy refills at convenience stores
• Remember: convenience stores everywhere

Hot Weather Survival

In summer (especially south China):

• Drink more than you think
• Cold bottled water from fridge in stores
• Avoid dehydration at tourist sites

Water for Babies/Formula

Preparing Formula

Safest approach:

1. Use bottled water
2. Boil in kettle
3. Cool to appropriate temperature
4. Mix formula

Bottled water types:

• Standard bottled water: Fine for formula
• Mineral water: Check mineral content (some too high for babies)
• Distilled water: Available at pharmacies

Buying Baby Water

Some stores sell 婴儿水 (baby water):

• Lower mineral content
• More expensive (¥8-15)
• Available at: 母婴店 (baby stores), large supermarkets

Ice and Cold Drinks

Is Ice Safe?

In modern establishments: Usually yes

• Made from purified water
• Chain restaurants, hotels, international brands

In small local places: Maybe not

• Ask or avoid
• Default to no ice: 不要冰 (bù yào bīng)

Getting Cold Drinks

Best sources:

• Convenience store fridges
• Café chains (Starbucks, Luckin)
• Hotel minibars
• Fast food (McDonald's, KFC)

Brushing Teeth

Should You Use Bottled Water?

Honest answer: The small amount of tap water from brushing teeth won't make you sick.

But if you want to be extra careful:

• Use bottled water
• Use boiled and cooled water

Most travelers: Use tap water for brushing without problems.

Quick Answers

Is tap water safe if I accidentally swallow some?

A small amount is unlikely to cause problems. Don't worry about shower water, etc.

Can I make coffee with hotel kettle water?

Yes, boiling water is safe. This is fine.

Why does bottled water taste different?

Different mineral content. 农夫山泉 (Nongfu Spring) has natural spring taste. Others more neutral.

Can I trust street food vendor water?

For cooking, boiled drinks—usually fine. Don't accept unboiled water from vendors.

Will water make me sick?

Boiled or bottled water is safe. Most traveler stomach issues come from food, not water.

Summary

Water Type	Safe?	Where to Get
Tap water (unboiled)	❌ No	-
Boiled tap water	✅ Yes	Hotel kettle, restaurants
Bottled water	✅ Yes	Everywhere
Hotel kettle water	✅ Yes	Your room
Restaurant hot water	✅ Yes	Ask server
Train station hot water	✅ Yes	Free dispensers

Bottom line: Drink bottled or boiled water. Hotel kettles are perfectly safe. The 开水 culture exists because it's the standard safe water practice—embrace it.

---

The China Survival Kit includes health and food safety guides to help you navigate eating and drinking safely throughout your trip.