Journeys Within Travel Blog

On November 19, coinciding with World Toilet Day, the Hong Kong Toilet Association (HKTA) released its annual public restroom rankings, surprisingly designating the Lan Kwai Fong public toilet as the city’s cleanest facility, despite its location in a bustling nightlife district; this unexpected victory highlights the crucial role of diligent janitorial services and modern amenities in maintaining urban hygiene standards. Located discreetly near a 7-Eleven, the Lan Kwai Fong facility surpassed expectations for cleanliness, earning the top spot and demonstrating that high-traffic areas can still sustain immaculate public services.

The annual assessment evaluates the cleanliness, functionality, and maintenance of public facilities across Hong Kong. The Lan Kwai Fong restroom’s success is particularly remarkable given its frequent use by late-night crowds, often associated with heavier wear-and-tear. HKTA President Henry Hung noted the exceptional dedication of the on-site staff, citing one “toilet host” who was “cleaning all the time” and constantly checking the space for any dirt.

While many patrons in the area likely use the facilities within bars and restaurants, the state of the public restroom is viewed as a significant indicator of urban management. The Lan Kwai Fong facility is serviced around the clock during weekends and holidays and features modern upgrades essential for public health, including air conditioning, automatic sensor water taps, soap dispensers, and a touchless flush system. These enhancements contribute significantly to the facility’s overall success in resisting the typical grime associated with busy urban areas.

High Performers and Notable Progress

Rounding out the top three list were the Kam Tin Shi public toilet in Yuen Long, taking second place, and the Catchick Street Garden public toilet in Kennedy Town, ranked third. The ascent of the Catchick Street location is particularly noteworthy, as just two years prior, it had been ranked as the worst public toilet in the city. The dramatic improvement suggests that focused maintenance and renovation efforts can quickly transform facility status.

Conversely, this year’s lowest ranking facility was the Kowloon City Road public toilet in To Kwa Wan. The HKTA report described this location as suffering from poor hygiene, including a foul odor and perpetually wet floors—classic signs of inadequate maintenance and aging infrastructure.

Implications for Urban Hygiene

The results of the HKTA’s rankings underscore a broader appeal to municipal authorities: the need for ongoing investment in public hygiene. Beyond simply identifying the best and worst facilities, the HKTA is urging authorities to commit to systematic refurbishment of aging public toilets across the territory and to ensure consistent, high-standard maintenance.

The stark contrast between the technologically upgraded and meticulously maintained Lan Kwai Fong facility and the neglected facility in To Kwa Wan serves as a potent reminder of the impact that public facility quality has on overall city livability. Ensuring accessible, clean, and functioning public restrooms is a fundamental measure of urban infrastructure success and directly contributes to public health and tourist appeal. Moving forward, the HKTA hopes to see the modern standards achieved in Lan Kwai Fong replicated citywide.

In an unexpected result coinciding with World Toilet Day on November 19, the Lan Kwai Fong public restroom—a facility frequently utilized by Hong Kong’s late-night revelers—has been recognized as the cleanest in the city. The annual public toilet rankings released by the Hong Kong Toilet Association (HKTA) placed the compact washroom, situated near a 7-Eleven in an alley adjacent to a garden, in the coveted top spot, defying assumptions about cleanliness in high-traffic entertainment districts.

This designation is particularly noteworthy given Lan Kwai Fong’s reputation as a bustling nightlife hub, typically associated with boisterous crowds and heavy facility use. The surprising outcome underscores the critical role of dedicated maintenance staff in upholding public health standards, even under challenging circumstances.

Dedicated Staff Elevate Standards

The Lan Kwai Fong site outperformed facilities across Hong Kong, earning high marks for its consistently clean and odor-free environment. Henry Hung, president of the HKTA, attributed the success directly to the diligence of the on-site staff. He noted the presence of what he termed a “toilet host” who was “cleaning all the time” and routinely checked the facilities to ensure immediate sanitation.

While many patrons in the area might opt for restrooms within the specific bars and clubs they visit, the round-the-clock attention given to this specific public location ensures its impeccable condition. This success story serves as a prime example of how proactive, continuous cleaning protocols can dramatically impact user experience and public perception.

Beyond the champion, the HKTA’s list highlighted other well-maintained sites, cementing the reputation of specific facilities across the territory. The Kam Tin Shi public toilet in Yuen Long secured the second position, followed by the Catchick Street Garden public toilet in Kennedy Town at third. The latter location’s third-place ranking represents a remarkable transformation, considering it was cited as Hong Kong’s worst public toilet just two years prior, illustrating the impact of focused investment and improved management.

Identifying Areas for Urgent Improvement

Conversely, the survey also identified the facilities most in need of urgent attention. This year, the title of Hong Kong’s worst public toilet went to the Kowloon City Road public toilet in To Kwa Wan. The HKTA report described this facility as dirty, afflicted by a foul odor, and suffering from persistently wet floors—conditions that raise significant hygiene and safety concerns.

The findings from the comprehensive cleanliness report are being used by the HKTA to pressure authorities and urban management bodies. The association is strongly urging the government to prioritize the refurbishment of aging public toilets and commit to stricter maintenance standards city-wide to safeguard public health and improve the communal infrastructure used by millions daily.

The disparity between top-performing and neglected facilities highlights the need for consistent resource allocation and oversight. Improving infrastructure like public sanitation is crucial not only for local residents but also for maintaining Hong Kong’s image as a high-quality global destination. Investing in basic, necessary facilities such as public restrooms remains a fundamental step in ensuring a high quality of life for all urban inhabitants.

The Hong Kong Toilet Association (HKTA) marked World Toilet Day on November 19 by releasing its annual assessment of public restroom cleanliness, crowning an unlikely victor: the public facility in the famously bustling nightlife district of Lan Kwai Fong. Despite heavy usage by nighttime revelers, the unassuming location, situated near a 7-Eleven and adjacent to a garden, defied low expectations by achieving the city’s highest ranking for hygiene and maintenance, highlighting the critical role of dedicated maintenance staff.

Dedicated Staff Elevate Lan Kwai Fong Facility

The Lan Kwai Fong public toilet managed to outshine its counterparts, remaining clean and noticeably odor-free, a surprise given the chaotic environment of the surrounding bars and clubs. This exceptional standard is attributed primarily to the diligence of the custodial team, who counteract the usual wear-and-tear associated with high-volume public facilities. The building itself is equipped with modern features, including air conditioning, automatic sensor taps, soap dispensers, and a touchless flush system, operating 24 hours a day on weekends and public holidays to ensure continuous service during peak demand.

Henry Hung, President of the HKTA, praised the facility’s dedicated staff, noting that the “toilet host was cleaning all the time” and proactively checked the premises to address messes the moment they occurred.

While many patrons in Lan Kwai Fong likely utilize the washrooms within the private drinking establishments, the high rating of the public facility underscores the possibility of maintaining immaculate standards in high-traffic, late-night areas through aggressive, round-the-clock service.

Shifting Tides in Public Hygiene

The HKTA identified two other top-performing public restrooms. The Kam Tin Shi public toilet in Yuen Long secured second place, while the Catchick Street Garden public toilet in Kennedy Town ranked third. The ascent of the Catchick Street location is particularly noteworthy, given that it had been previously designated as Hong Kong’s worst public toilet just two years prior, illustrating that substantial improvements are achievable with focused maintenance efforts.

Conversely, the investigation identified the Kowloon City Road public toilet in To Kwa Wan as the worst performer this year. HKTA inspectors described the facility as notably filthy, plagued by foul odors, and suffering from wet floors—all indicators of inadequate servicing and maintenance.

Call for Broader Investment in Infrastructure

Beyond issuing the rankings, the Hong Kong Toilet Association used its platform to advocate for systemic change across the city’s public sanitary infrastructure. The organization urged governmental authorities to commit greater resources toward the refurbishment of aging public toilets and to establish robust maintenance protocols to elevate overall hygiene standards across Hong Kong.

The findings highlight a clear disparity: where investment in modern equipment and excellent janitorial oversight is prioritized, even the most intensely used public spaces can maintain superior standards of cleanliness. The success of the Lan Kwai Fong facility serves as an actionable model for enhancing public health infrastructure throughout the region.