Squat toilets

On my many trips to China, I discovered the joys of squat toilets. I quickly learnt of my poor squatting ability compared to the locals on the few occasions when I was forced to use squat toilets due to a lack of western alternatives.

The most impressive squat toilet I have encountered was in Xixiang Chi (Elephant Bathing Pool Monastery), on Emei Shan (mountain). I hiked from the base of the mountain to this temple at 2000m. The toilet in the temple is a series of open concrete “rooms” with an open slot in the floor (see the photo below). There is no doors or ceiling and a large pit/open space below. Don’t get me wrong, I was thankful to have any facility but I must admit I was glad I did not need to test out my squatting ability on the evening I ate and slept in the temple, nor the next morning.

I highly recommend climbing this 3000m mountain and staying at this temple. Both are magical.

I have never seen a squat toilet in Australia and until recently, I had never seen one outside of Asia. I was very surprised when I discovered France has squat toilets. The first was in the wonderfully named town of Condom, the squat toilet is located in a very historical/ancient building, the cloisters next to a magnificent church.

The second I discovered is only about 50 meters from my apartment in France! The towns historic gardens have a toilet block with two squat toilets. I think the buildings are older then they appear. I live in a small country town. I am regularly surprised at how old buildings, trees and ruins are in town and in the surrounding mountains, including the toilet blocks :-)