Tipping is not part of everyday culture in mainland China. Unlike many Western countries, leaving a tip at a restaurant or for a taxi driver isn’t expected, and can occasionally cause confusion or polite refusal. The one major exception is tour guides and drivers working with foreign visitors, where a tip has become a widely accepted way to say thank you.
Restaurants
Tipping is not expected at local Chinese restaurants, from street food stalls to mid-range sit-down spots. Staff aren’t paid with the assumption of tips, and offering one may be met with confusion or even a polite refusal.
At high-end restaurants in major cities like Shanghai or Beijing that cater to international travelers, a service charge of 10-15% is often already added to the bill. If no service charge appears and you’d like to leave something extra for excellent service, 5-10% is considered generous, though it remains entirely optional.
Hotels
Most hotels in mainland China, including mid-range and business hotels, don’t expect tips for housekeeping or luggage assistance. International luxury hotel chains that primarily serve foreign guests are more accustomed to tipping, and a small amount for bellhops (around CNY 10-20 per bag) is appreciated but not required.
If you’d like to leave something for housekeeping, CNY 10-20 left in the room is a thoughtful gesture rather than an obligation.
Taxis
Tipping taxi drivers is not customary in China. Fares are metered, and drivers don’t expect anything beyond the amount shown. Rounding up to the nearest yuan is fine if you’d like, but it’s not necessary and won’t be expected.
Tour Guides and Drivers
This is the one area where tipping is genuinely common, especially for guides and drivers who work regularly with international tourists. If you’re on an organized tour, a daily tip of CNY 50-100 for a guide and CNY 30-50 for a driver is a reasonable range, adjusted based on group size and length of service. On private or customized tours, tipping toward the higher end of that range is appropriate.
If you’re in a group tour, tips for the guide and driver are often pooled and split among group members, so check with your tour operator about the typical contribution.
Spas and Salons
Local massage shops and salons generally don’t expect tips. High-end spas, particularly those in international hotels, may be more accustomed to the practice, where 10% for excellent service is appreciated.
Cultural Notes
Historically, tipping was discouraged in China and is sometimes still seen as unnecessary or even slightly awkward in everyday settings, since good service is considered the standard rather than something requiring extra payment. This has loosened somewhat with international tourism, but the core culture remains largely tip-free outside of tour guides and high-end international venues.
The rise of mobile payments through Alipay and WeChat Pay has also reduced the physical habit of tipping, since there’s rarely loose cash on hand to leave behind. If you do want to tip a guide digitally, scanning their personal QR code is now a common and accepted method.
| Situation | Typical Tip |
|---|---|
| Local Restaurant | Not expected |
| High-End/International Restaurant | 5–10% (often already included) |
| Hotel Bellhop | Not expected (CNY 10–20 optional at luxury hotels) |
| Hotel Housekeeping | Not expected (CNY 10–20 optional) |
| Taxi | Not expected |
| Tour Guide | CNY 50–100 per day |
| Tour Driver | CNY 30–50 per day |
| Spa/Salon | Not expected (10% optional at luxury spas) |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to tip in China?
It’s not considered rude or illegal, but tipping at local restaurants or for taxis can confuse staff who aren’t accustomed to it. In some cases, staff may politely refuse or chase you down to return the money.
Do I need to tip my tour guide in China?
While not mandatory, tipping tour guides and drivers has become a widely accepted practice, especially for groups that include international tourists. It’s one of the few situations where a tip is genuinely expected.
Can I tip in US dollars?
Yes, tour guides and drivers will generally accept USD as well as Chinese yuan, particularly in tourist-heavy areas.
What about Hong Kong and Macau?
Hong Kong and Macau have somewhat different customs than mainland China, with service charges more commonly added at Western-style restaurants and a more established tipping culture for tour guides.
More Asia Tipping Guides
Traveling elsewhere in Asia? Check out our other tipping guides: