Is Beijing Tap Water Safe To Drink?
No, it's not advisable to drink the tap water.
Tap water in Beijing is treated and meets national safety standards but is generally not recommended for direct drinking.
Contaminants and old pipes can affect water quality; locals usually boil water before consumption.
Bottled or filtered water is commonly used for drinking to ensure safety and taste.
Last checked: 2025-04-25
China is ranked as number 44 globally with a score of 74.5% in the water quality EPI research conducted by Yale University.
Source of Water in Beijing, China
Beijing's tap water primarily originates from surface water sources, including the Miyun and Guanting reservoirs.
Additionally, the South-to-North Water Diversion Project supplies a significant portion of Beijing's water.
Groundwater also supplements the supply, though over-extraction has raised sustainability concerns.
Beijing Drinking Fountains
Public drinking fountains in Beijing are generally not recommended for direct use due to potential contamination risks.
Water quality from these fountains may not meet drinking water standards consistently.
It is safer to use bottled or filtered water instead for drinking purposes.
Drinking Water Map
Here is a map showing all the locations of drinking water spots in Beijing. You can click on each water drop to open the spot directly in Google Maps for directions.