The Beijing municipal government has issued a document on star-rating all toilets in scenic spots, in a move to offer better services to domestic and foreign tourists.

The document classifies all toilets in scenic attractions into four stars. It contains specific norms in 58 areas such as the floor space, exterior decoration, the surrounding environment, barrier-free design, equipment conditions and opening hours.

As a world-famous tourist attraction, Beijing has made tremendous improvements in tourism-related services. But it still lags far behind developed areas in the world in terms of toilet condition.

Of the 206 complaints filed by tourists to the Beijing Consumers Association during the weeklong National Day holiday, one fifth involved toilet problems.

(eastday.com 11/28/2000)