Traveling to China with an ostomy can be an exciting adventure, but it's important to be prepared for the sanitary conditions and toilet facilities you might encounter, especially if you have daily irrigation needs. Here are some helpful tips and insights to make your journey smoother:
- Hotels:
- In large cities, modern 4- and 5-star hotels usually have fully equipped Western-style bathrooms. When booking, request a "Western toilet" to ensure comfort.
- It's a good idea to perform irrigation or change your pouch in the hotel before you head out for the day.
- Public toilets and day trips:
- At tourist sites and in smaller towns, you might find squat toilets, which are essentially a hole in the floor, and they may not have doors or toilet paper.
- McDonald's and Starbucks outlets in major cities are reliable places to find Western toilets.
- Always carry your own toilet tissue, Kleenex, or wipes, and remember not to flush large amounts of paper, as the plumbing can be fragile.
- Supplies and leakage prevention:
- Bring plenty of ostomy supplies from home, as local availability is uncertain and English may not be widely spoken.
- Be aware that high heat and humidity, which can reach up to 50 °C in some regions, might loosen appliance seals due to sweating. Pack extra pouches, barrier rings, or tape to reinforce the seal if needed.
- General travel tips:
- China is considered safe, fascinating, and well worth visiting. However, language barriers can be a challenge, so it's helpful to have the names of your destinations written in Chinese.
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