People generally avoid going into public toilets, unless they absolutely have to. Most of them are dirty, uninviting places, but that’s definitely not the case with this recently opened five-star public restroom in Chongqing, China.

Public toilets are hardly-ever news-worthy topics, but after seeing photos of this new five-star facility in the Bishan district of Chongqing, I decided it was too cool not to share. The 150-square-meter restroom not only features an elegant interior design and quality materials like marble floors, granite imitation walls, lacquered wood doors and urinal separators, and even chandeliers, but also a central heating system and 24-hour air-conditioning that keep the place at a constant 26 degrees Celsius all year round.

The lavatories are the high-end type you expect to find in a five-star hotel or restaurant, and the walls are adorned with lovely paintings and live plants. This place also features inductive water flushing equipment and even a high-quality stereo system that plays soothing music at all times.

But probably the most impressive feature of this classy public toilet is the glass wall that allows urinal users to admire the green park outside while they do their business. The glass is only transparent from the inside, acting as a mirror from the outside. Apart from providing a lovely view, this solution also increases natural lighting inside the toilet during the day, allowing authorities to save money on electricity.

The Chinese really know how to build public toilets, I have to say. A few years ago we featured another impressive facility, in the city of Xiamen, and although it wasn’t as impressive as this newest five-star public restroom, it was way better than the usual ones.

Chongqing’s pearl of public toilets reportedly cost 800,000 yuan ($115,785) to build. Money well spent!

via China.org, Shanghaiist