An Unexpected Item You'll Be Glad You Packed In China And South Korea

Visiting a new country, especially on a different continent, will come with its own set of cultural norms, routines, and fascinating experiences. If you're thinking of visiting Asia anytime soon, you should know there are certain things tourists should and shouldn't do in China and South Korea–– and that extends to what they pack. If you're planning on visiting these two countries, be sure to bring some extra toilet paper with you. Unless you want to be left in a very unpleasant situation, having your own stock of toilet paper is one of the unexpected toilet rules you might encounter across the world. 

The reason why toilet paper is not always readily available everywhere in China and South Korea can change depending on the situation and specific city you're in. However, some reasons include toilet paper theft, which naturally requires extra funds to keep it readily available. Other reasons include sustainability practices, cultural norms, and the expectation for many users to bring their own for hygiene purposes. 

There has been a push to revamp public restrooms in China for the last 10 years or so, which means the restroom norms in the country are starting to change. Still, one thing is for sure all over the world (not just in Asia): Maintaining these restrooms requires money, and theft can undermine that effort. In recent years, some public bathrooms in China have been equipped with facial recognition technology to not only limit how much soap or paper products one user can take, but also to deter theft (via NBC News). Chinese culture also puts a higher value on sustainability than the West, so bringing your own toilet paper is part of that essential sustainability practice.

When it comes to South Korea, the practices and cultural norms regarding toilet paper in public restrooms are quite similar. However, it might be possible to find both toilet paper and soap in some cities –– outside the stall. So, keeping your own toilet paper with you is generally good to have as a backup. After all, not finding the necessary hygiene products can be quite disastrous (and a risk you probably don't want to take). Remember that in South Korea and China, restroom etiquette requires users to dispose of used toilet paper in the trash cans instead of flushing tissue paper down the toilet since septic systems might not be able to break it down properly.

When packing essentials for your trip to China or South Korea, be sure to include travel-sized tissues or flushable toilet paper rolls. You can even find biodegradable options if you're also trying to be eco-conscious. Your travel-friendly bathroom kit should also include wet wipes or hand sanitizers as well as toilet paper to make sure you don't spread (or catch) any germs. You can even go one step further and pack disposable toilet seat covers so you can use public toilets anywhere without worrying about cleanliness. 

Also don't forget to keep these items (or a small supply) with you in a smaller backpack or purse that you may use during your stay. After all, no one is walking around with their entire suitcase on a vacation. When you need to go, you need to go –– even if you're not near your hotel room. There are also apps in China that you can use to check the conditions of restrooms ahead of time and find the closest ones near you. When nature calls, being prepared is key so you're not stuck in a rut.