Visitors to Pingyao in the Shanxi province have gladly welcomed the newly-renovated toilets in the ancient city.

The new toilets are frequently cleaned to ensure they stay tidy and sanitary. Nine out of ten meet "star-level toilet" standards.

The local authority spent 3 million yuan renovating 35 public restrooms at tourist sights and more than 2,000 household toilets in the ancient city were also upgraded this year.

All the toilets wil be open to tourists for free.

(CRIENGLISH.com August 15, 2006)