Can You Drink Tap Water in China? Boil It First (2026)

Short answer: No. Don’t drink tap water in China straight from the tap. The Beijing municipal government says tap water must be boiled before drinking and advises visitors to drink bottled water. The UK government’s China advice says the same: tap water is generally not safe to drink, so only drink bottled water.

The rules

China has a mandatory national drinking-water standard, GB 5749-2022, in force since 1 April 2023. It requires that total coliforms and E. coli are not detected. Even so, official city and foreign-government advice for visitors is still to boil or buy water. Pipes and building tanks between the treatment plant and your tap are a common reason for the caution.

Use	What to do
Drinking	Bottled water, or tap water boiled first
Making tea, coffee, instant noodles	Use boiled or bottled water
Brushing teeth	Usually fine with tap water, since the risk is mainly from swallowing. Use bottled water if you have a sensitive stomach
Ice in drinks	Often made from tap water. Ask for no ice (不要冰, bú yào bīng) if unsure
Fruit and vegetables	Wash with bottled or boiled water if you will eat them raw and unpeeled

What to do step by step

1. Check your room. Most hotels supply free bottled water or an electric kettle. Use them rather than the tap.
2. Buy bottled water. It is sold at most shops, restaurants and hotels. Convenience stores and supermarkets are the cheapest places to buy it.
3. Boil if you need more. Fill the kettle from the tap, bring it to a rolling boil and let it cool. Many train stations, airports and hostels have free hot-water dispensers (开水, kāishuǐ).
4. Bring a reusable bottle. Fill it from a hot-water dispenser and let it cool.
5. Sort out your phone and payment before you shop. A travel eSIM and Alipay with a foreign card let you pay for water and order delivery without cash.

Add water to your trip checklist if you are packing a reusable bottle or purification tablets.

What happens if you get it wrong

Drinking unboiled tap water can cause stomach upset or diarrhoea. Mild cases usually pass with rest and fluids. If you have a high fever, blood in your stool or symptoms that last more than a couple of days, see a doctor. Hospitals in big cities have international departments.

Common mistakes

• Assuming a five-star hotel means safe taps. Boil or buy water there too.
• Forgetting ice and drinks made with water, such as fresh juice or slushies.
• Drinking from public fountains. Avoid them.
• Drinking hot water that was not boiled. Hot tap water is not the same as boiled water. Use a kettle or a labelled hot-water dispenser.
• Cold tap water to rinse a baby bottle. Use boiled or bottled water.

FAQ

Is bottled water easy to find in China?

Yes. The Beijing government notes it is available at most stores, restaurants and hotels. Brands are sold everywhere, including convenience stores, train stations and airports.

Can I use tap water to brush my teeth?

It is generally fine, as long as you do not swallow it. If you have a sensitive stomach, use bottled water to be safe.

Do people in China drink hot water?

Yes. Drinking boiled water, often hot, is a common habit, and public places often have free hot-water dispensers. Bring a bottle or ask for hot water (热水, rèshuǐ).

Next steps for your trip

Official sources: english.beijing.gov.cn · www.gov.uk · www.fas.usda.gov. Rules change; check before you travel.