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Chinachecked Jul 2026Tipping in China
China is not a tipping country. At everyday restaurants and in taxis, no tip is expected, and it can even cause confusion. The exceptions are tour guides and drivers, and high-end hotels. Here is what you actually owe.
At a glance
Tipping
Not customary
Restaurants, taxis
No tip
Exceptions
Tour guides and drivers
High-end hotels
A small tip is fine
China is not a tipping country. At everyday restaurants, cafes and in taxis, no tip is expected, and offering one can cause mild confusion. Staff are paid a wage and do not rely on tips. The main exceptions are tour guides and drivers on organized tours, where a tip is expected and often built into the tour culture, and high-end international hotels, where a small tip for a porter is fine. Some upscale or Western restaurants add a service charge, so check the bill. Otherwise, keep your money.
You do not tip in everyday China
In everyday China, tipping is simply not part of the culture. At local restaurants, cafes and food stalls, and in taxis and rideshare, no tip is expected, and trying to leave one can be waved off or cause mild confusion. Staff earn a wage and do not depend on tips.
This is genuinely a place where you can relax about it: the total on the bill or the meter is what you pay, full stop.
The exceptions: guides, drivers, hotels
There are a few exceptions. Tour guides and drivers on organized tours are the main one: tipping them at the end of a tour is expected, and group tours often suggest a per-day amount. High-end international hotels are the other: a small tip for a porter or for exceptional service is fine, though not required.
Some upscale restaurants and hotels add a service charge (often 10 to 15%) to the bill. If it is there, that stands in for a tip, so you do not add more.
The rest, and paying
Do not tip taxi drivers or at local restaurants; it is not expected and the fare or bill is final. Day-to-day payment in China runs heavily on mobile apps (WeChat Pay and Alipay), but that is about how you pay, not tipping. For the wider picture, see how to pay in China and the China money guide.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Do you tip in China?
Generally no. Tipping is not customary at everyday restaurants, cafes or in taxis, and staff do not rely on it. The main exceptions are tour guides and drivers on organized tours, who do expect a tip, and high-end international hotels.
Do you tip taxi drivers in China?
No. Tipping taxi drivers is not expected in China; the meter fare is what you pay. The same goes for rideshare, where the app total is final.
Is there a service charge in Chinese restaurants?
At everyday places, no. Some upscale restaurants and high-end hotels add a service charge, often 10 to 15%. If it is on the bill, it stands in for a tip, so you do not add more.
Should I tip a tour guide in China?
Yes. Tour guides and drivers on organized tours are the main exception to China's no-tipping norm, and a tip at the end is expected. Group tours often suggest a per-day amount per traveler.
More on China
The little money things nobody warns you about.
- How to pay in ChinaShort answer: your phone, not your wallet. Here is how to set up Alipay and WeChat Pay with your own card before you go, what cash to carry, and where a physical card still helps.
- Do US citizens need a visa for China?Short answer: yes, for a normal trip, and you apply in advance. The one exception is a transit rule that turns a stopover into a 10-day visit. Here is how each works.
- Staying connected in ChinaShort answer: sort this before you land, because it affects how you pay too. Here is why a VPN is the wrong plan in 2026, and why a roaming eSIM is the right one.
- Getting around China: Didi and the metroShort answer: Didi for taxis, a QR pass for the metro, and the train between cities. Here is how each works, and the one or two things to watch.
Sources, and how this was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
- US State DepartmentChina country information
Our own readChina's no-tipping norm is well established, with tour guides, drivers and high-end hotels the recognized exceptions. Amounts here are our own read from recent traveler reports and local guidance, not a single official table. Checked July 2026.