Beijing upgrades 500 public toilets

BEIJING -- Beijing authorities have upgraded 500 public toilets this year as part of a "toilet revolution."

A public toilet in North Hepingli Street in Dongcheng District has just been renovated. It is now clean and odor free.

"A ventilation system has been installed in the toilet," said Feng Lei, a local environment employee. "Each toilet cubicle has an independent ventilation pipe, which collects bad smells in a central processing system before the odor is released."

A heater has also been installed to keep the toilet warm in winter, and there are more toilets for women.

Authorities plan to install more toilets for people with special requirements such as mothers with young children, the disabled and elderly.

The toilet revolution will extend to bungalows in Dongcheng District's hutong alleys next year, with systems for heating, deodorization and water saving to be installed. Toilets in other districts such as Chaoyang and Mentougou will also be upgraded.