Info on drinking water and ice in Beijing by crewrower
In Beijing you should avoid drinking tap water anywhere. However, tap water is okay for bathing and brushing teeth. Ice you get in a hotel or your drink at a bar is generally fine. Regarding prices of water, it's cheapest to buy large bottles in grocery stores. You'll pay more in the convenience stores. The only place where there might be any question about the integrity of the water is from streetside vendors selling it from a sterofoam tank. Even then it's usually OK, but if you have an option purchase from a store or official stall.
