Qinghai invests $500 m to build, renovate 198,000 toilets

XINING — Northwest China's Qinghai province will build or upgrade more than 198,000 public toilets in the next three years, with a total investment of 3.19 billion yuan ($503 million), according to local authorities.

The facilities will be scattered in scenic areas, counties, townships and villages, and built near roads and in commercial zones, the provincial commission of development and reform said Sunday.

Bathrooms in farmers and herdsmen's homes will also be renovated, the commission said.

The Chinese government launched a "toilet revolution" in 2015 to make the worst facilities cleaner and more regulated. It planned to add 33,000, and renovate 24,000 public restrooms between 2015 and 2017.

The country plans to install or upgrade 64,000 toilets at tourist destinations from 2018 to 2020, to create convenience for travelers and develop domestic tourism.