Originally Posted by
doglover
.....Never drink the water - unless it's in a sealed bottle. This includes brushing your teeth. Don't take any drink with ice in it -- unless you are in a 5 * hotel (even there be careful).....
The brushing your teeth bit is the one that a lot of people don't think about; if you get in late at night (or after a night in the bar), it's easy to forget. I put a face cloth over the faucet to remind myself....
Also, don't eat watermelon (it's mostly just unfiltered local river water....).
Laundry in upscale PRC hotels is very affordable. You could consider taking fewer clothes, and getting laundry done mid-trip if you have 2 nights in the same hotel (3 to be extra-safe).