PTravel

You shouldn't drink the tap water in China -- even the Chinese avoid it if possible, and though Beijing water might, in theory, be potable, there are a number of cities where the water is not. Upscale hotels will provide bottled water in the rooms. Less expensive hotels and those catering to Chinese will provide thermoses of boiled water. In restaurants, drink bottled water, use the provided thermoses or, better still, drink tea like everyone else. Ice (for cocktails) should be okay in all but really cheap bars, and will be fine in any hotel bar. I'd avoid using ice to chill western drinks (Coke, e.g.) in less upscale restaurants not specifically intended for foreigners.