In mainland China, tipping is not a routine expectation. International hotels and tourism services may differ. Hong Kong and Macao have distinct customs and are not covered by this mainland quick answer.
Usually no tipDining quick answer
Guidance applies to the services described below; customs can differ by provider. How we research our guides
FIND YOUR SITUATION
China tipping cheat sheet
Amounts, whether a tip is expected, and the exceptions that matter. Open a row to see the supporting source.
RestaurantsAdvice & exceptionsUsually no tip
In mainland China, tipping is not a routine expectation. International hotels and tourism services may differ. Hong Kong and Macao have distinct customs and are not covered by this mainland quick answer.
Before paying: Check for an included service charge or gratuity. If adding a card tip, confirm the total before completing payment; with cash, make clear what is a tip and what change you need.
Keep a prepaid airport transfer separate from a metered taxi or a full-day driver. For tour budgets, check the unit and whether guide and driver tips are separate.
Settling into your hotel
A pooled staff gratuity and a personal tip are different arrangements; avoid paying the same gratuity twice.
If you choose to give a personal cash tip, use a currency the recipient can spend and make its purpose clear. Card payment for the bill does not guarantee a card-tip facility. Check the final total before approving it.
For a prepaid tour or resort stay, read the gratuity inclusions. A service fee, a staff tip pool and an individual guide tip may cover different people.
RESEARCH YOU CAN FOLLOW
Sources & review notes
Last reviewed . Each service answer links to its evidence. Official visitor guidance, operator recommendations and older publisher examples are identified separately. A review date records our check; it does not make an old source new.
World Travel Guide — China: food & drink ↗Country-specific dining reference; publication date not stated. Amounts are guidance, not fixed fees. Accessed September 17, 2026.
Intrepid Travel — China: tipping FAQ ↗First-party tour-operator guidance, cross-checked with the dining reference where available. Not a rule for every local provider; publication date not stated. Accessed September 17, 2026.
No amount is inferred from a neighboring country. Operator examples are not national tariffs, and a documented “optional” answer does not imply a fixed amount exists. Next editorial review due March 17, 2027; monitoring is not automated.
