Tipping in China: quick-reference table
This table covers mainland China. The basic rule is simple: when a service has a listed price, no extra payment is required. The main exceptions are in international tourism, and even there tips remain optional.
| Situation | Should you tip? | What travelers should do |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants, cafés & bars | No tip needed | Pay the total on the bill. At upscale and hotel restaurants, check whether a 10–15% service charge (服务费) has been added. |
| Taxis & DiDi | No tip needed | Pay the metered fare in a taxi or the total shown in DiDi. You do not need to round up. |
| Food delivery & shops | No tip needed | Couriers, cashiers, and shop staff do not expect payment beyond the displayed price. |
| Regular hotels & housekeeping | No tip needed | At budget and mid-range hotels, tips are not expected. Cash without a note may be treated as forgotten money. |
| Bellhop at an international hotel | Optional | For help with luggage, 10–20 yuan handed directly to the porter is reasonable but not required. |
| Private guide | Optional; check booking terms | There is no standard rate. For a great full day, a small group can use 50–200 yuan as a broad guide; first check whether gratuities are included. |
| Private driver | Optional; check booking terms | If gratuities are not included, a small group may use 30–100 yuan for a full day as a broad guide. |
| Group or multi-day tour | Ask the operator | The operator may use a tipping kitty or publish its own guidance. Follow those terms instead of a generic online rate. |
| Massage, spa & salon | Usually no | At regular businesses, pay the listed price. At international hotels, check the bill for a service charge. |
What to do: four practical steps
- 1. Use the final displayed priceAt a restaurant, pay the bill; in a taxi, pay the meter; in DiDi, pay the app total. Do not automatically add a percentage.
- 2. Look for 服务费 on the bill服务费 (fúwùfèi) means service charge. If it is already included, no separate tip is needed.
- 3. Check your tour voucherLook for tips, gratuities, or service fee. The operator's terms matter more than a generic online range.
- 4. Say thanks without awkwardnessA simple 谢谢 (xièxie, “thank you”) is enough. If you choose to tip a guide or bellhop, hand it over directly at the end of the service.
If a worker declines the money, do not insist. It does not necessarily mean they are offended: they may think you overpaid, forgot the cash, or that company rules prevent them from accepting it.
Restaurants and cafés: pay the bill total
Local noodle shops, cafés, food courts, and regular restaurants do not expect tips. When you pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay, there is usually no separate tipping step. Cash left on the table may be returned because staff assume you forgot it.
Upscale restaurants and restaurants inside international hotels sometimes add a 10–15% service charge. Check the bottom of the bill for 服务费, service charge, or a percentage listed separately. This is a venue fee, not a personal tip for the server.
For inexpensive meal ideas, use our budget food guide for Asia and regional food guide to China.
Taxis, DiDi, and delivery: no extra payment required
In a taxi, pay the metered fare and ask for a receipt if you need one. In DiDi, the app calculates the final total, so you do not need to round up or pay the driver separately. The same principle applies to couriers and food delivery: use the price shown in the app.
Set up connectivity and mobile payment before your trip; our smartphone travel preparation checklist covers the essential apps and settings.
Hotels: the setting matters
At a regular hotel, hostel, or guesthouse, you do not need to tip reception, housekeeping, or room delivery staff. Avoid leaving cash on the bed without a note because it may be treated as forgotten money.
Staff at five-star international hotels are more familiar with overseas tipping habits. For help with heavy luggage, you may hand a bellhop 10–20 yuan, but it remains optional. When booking a hotel in China, check whether service charges and other fees are included in the displayed rate.
Guides and drivers: check the tour terms first
There is no single national tipping rate for tours. Some operators include gratuities, some use a group tipping kitty, and others leave the decision to each traveler. Check the voucher or ask the organizer before the tour begins.
- Private guide for a full day — a broad optional range of 50–200 yuan from a small group.
- Private driver for a full day — a broad optional range of 30–100 yuan from a small group.
- Group or multi-day tour — follow the operator's written guidance or the group's tipping kitty.
These are not mandatory minimums. They are broad references for excellent service when no other guidance exists. Tour length, group size, and the operator's policy matter more. You can compare programs on reputable tour platforms.
Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao follow different norms
The guidance above applies to mainland China. Hong Kong and Macao have stronger international hotel and restaurant influences: service charges are more common, and small tips are more familiar in tourist-facing venues.
Do not automatically apply a universal 10% rule in any of the three regions. Check the bill first; if service is already included, you do not need to pay for it twice.
How to budget for tipping and service charges
- Regular restaurants and taxis — ¥0 for tips.
- Upscale restaurants and international hotels — keep room for a possible 10–15% service charge.
- Bellhop at an international hotel — optionally 10–20 yuan.
- Private tour — follow the booking terms; if none are provided, keep a separate optional allowance.
Cross-check with our travel budget calculator and how to save money traveling without ruining your trip.
Sources and limits of these recommendations
China does not have one universal tipping tariff, so tour operators publish different ranges. To verify the basic rule and common exceptions, we compared guidance from Lonely Planet, Intrepid Travel, and TravelChinaGuide. Last reviewed on August 20, 2026.
For other destinations, use our tipping guide by country: mainland China's norms should not be applied automatically across Asia.
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FAQ
Is tipping customary in China?
Usually not in mainland China. At restaurants, cafés, taxis, DiDi, shops, and regular hotels, pay the displayed total. Optional tips are mostly limited to private guides, drivers, and bellhops at international hotels.
Can you leave a tip at a restaurant in China?
You can, but regular restaurants do not expect it. Staff may return cash because they think you overpaid or forgot it. If the bill includes 服务费 (service charge), do not add another tip.
Do you tip taxi or DiDi drivers in China?
No. Pay the metered fare in a regular taxi or the final price shown in DiDi. Rounding up and paying the driver separately are not required.
How much should you tip a guide or driver in China?
There is no mandatory amount. Check the tour voucher first: gratuities may be included or the operator may publish its own guidance. If no rules are given, a small group can use 50–200 yuan for a great full-day guide and 30–100 yuan for a driver as broad, optional ranges.
Are tipping rules the same in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao?
No. This guide covers mainland China. Service charges are more common in Hong Kong and Macao, and small tips are more familiar in tourist and international venues. Always check the bill first.