Snap a photo of any bottled water on a Chinese shelf, get the English meaning. Red cap, green cap, clear bottle — know which is safe to drink and which is distilled.
NEVER Drink Tap Water in China!
Chinese tap water contains heavy metals and bacteria that aren't safe for foreigners whose stomachs aren't adapted to it. Even locals boil tap water before drinking. Always buy bottled water at convenience stores.
The problem: There are many drinks that LOOK like water but are actually soda, sports drinks, or flavored water. Follow this guide to avoid expensive and embarrassing mistakes!
Quick Cheat Sheet - Take a Photo!
SAFE - Buy These
Red Cap = Nongfu Spring (农夫山泉)
Green Bottle = C'estbon (怡宝)
Blue Bottle = Baibaishan (百岁山)
NOT WATER - Avoid These
Yellow/Black = Watson's Sparkling (苏打水) - FIZZY!
Purple/Blue = Gatorade/脉动 - SUGARY!
When in doubt, look for "纯净水" or "矿泉水" on the label
Pro Tip: The safest choice is always the RED CAP (农夫山泉 Nongfu Spring)
China's Most Common Water Brands
How to Read Water Labels (识别纯净水标签)
Look for These Words
- • 纯净水 (purity water)
- • 矿泉水 (mineral water)
- • 饮用水 (drinking water)
- • 天然山泉水 (natural spring water)
- • 山泉 (spring water)
- • 蒸馏水 (distilled water)
Avoid These Words
- • 苏打水 (soda water - FIZZY!)
- • 碳酸水 (carbonated water)
- • 有气 (has bubbles)
- • 运动饮料 (sports drink)
- • 饮料 (beverage/drink - NOT water!)
- • 果汁 (fruit juice)
- • 含糖 (contains sugar)
Common Mistakes Tourists Make
Buying Watson's Sparkling Water thinking it's regular water
Why: The bottle looks clear, but it's carbonated and salty
What happens: Get home, open it, and experience the shock of fizzy salt water
Buying Gatorade (脉动) thinking it's water
Why: The bottle is large and looks like water, but it's very sugary
What happens: Drink it thinking it's water and get super hyper from the sugar
Drinking tap water thinking "it'll be fine"
Why: Many tourists have stomachs adapted to Chinese tap water. Foreigners do not.
What happens: Spend next 2 days in the bathroom. Not worth it.
Buying imported water that's way too expensive
Why: Tourist hotels mark up imported bottled water 300-400%
What happens: Pay ¥50 for a bottle that costs ¥2 at convenience stores
Not carrying water and getting dehydrated
Why: Waiting to find a store, or afraid to buy the wrong thing
What happens: Dehydration, fatigue, and ruined sightseeing
Pro Shopping Tips
DO THIS
- • Buy from convenience stores (711, Lawson, FamilyMart)
- • Look for the RED CAP (农夫山泉) - always safe
- • Buy larger bottles (1.5L or 5L) to save money
- • Keep a reusable water bottle and refill at hotels
- • Take a photo of this page as reference
- • Ask hotel staff which water to buy
DON'T DO THIS
- • Don't drink tap water (even if locals say it's okay)
- • Don't buy random bottles without reading labels
- • Don't assume clear = safe (Watson's is clear but fizzy!)
- • Don't buy water from street vendors
- • Don't wait until you're thirsty - plan ahead
- • Don't skip reading the Chinese characters on the label
Water Bottle Sizes & Pricing
330ml (小瓶)
¥1-1.5
Quick drinks, portable
500ml (标准)
¥1.5-3
Most popular size - recommended
1.5L (大瓶)
¥3-5
Best value per liter
5L (巨大)
¥5-8
For hotels/rooms, refill smaller bottles
19L (饮水机)
¥8-12
For office coolers, not for personal use
The Golden Rule
If you see a RED CAP, buy it. Nongfu Spring (农夫山泉) with the red cap is the most common, safest, and most affordable drinking water in China. When in doubt, default to the red cap. It's sold everywhere and costs only ¥1.5-3 for 500ml.
After your first trip to a convenience store, you'll be a water expert. Save this page to your phone and check it whenever you're buying water. Stay hydrated, stay safe!