Do You Tip in China? Mostly No, Except Guides (2026)

Short answer: No. Tipping is not expected in mainland China, and you can skip it in restaurants, taxis and ride-hailing. The main exception is a tour guide or private driver. Plan on about 100–200 RMB per day for a guide and 50–100 RMB per day for a driver on a private tour. Those are group amounts, not per person.

Where to tip and where not to

Situation	What to do
Restaurants	No tip. Some upscale restaurants add a service charge to the bill, so you owe nothing extra.
Taxis and Didi	Pay the fare shown. Rounding up is optional and not expected.
Hotels (mid-range)	No tip needed. Some larger hotels add a service charge to the bill.
Luxury / 5-star hotels	Optional. About 10–30 RMB for a bellhop. A small note for housekeeping is welcome but not expected.
Private tour guide	About 100–200 RMB per day per group.
Private tour driver	About 50–100 RMB per day per group.

Amounts vary. Most operators publish ranges rather than fixed rules, and sources disagree on whether figures are per person or per group. If you are unsure, ask your tour operator what they expect.

How to tip if you want to

1. Check the bill first. If a service charge is already listed, don’t add more.
2. Use cash. Carry small notes (10, 20, 50 RMB). If you plan to pay by phone for everything else, see the Alipay foreign card guide for setup.
3. Hand it over directly and at the end of the service. For guides and drivers, tip on the last day of the tour. Hand it over discreetly, ideally in an envelope.
4. Tip for good service only. It’s a thank-you, not an obligation.

Common mistakes

• Leaving money on the restaurant table. Staff may run after you to return it, because it isn’t the custom.
• Tipping per person instead of per group. Private-tour guidance of 100–200 RMB per day is for the whole group.
• Applying Hong Kong or Macau customs to the mainland. Hong Kong is different: most restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill, so check it before adding more.
• Handing over large notes. Keep tips small so they don’t cause awkwardness.

Before you go, run through the trip checklist so cash, eSIM and payments are sorted.

FAQ

Is tipping rude in China?

No, but it isn’t expected. A small tip for a guide, driver or hotel porter is welcome. Staff in restaurants and taxis may refuse it or be confused.

Should I tip with Alipay or WeChat Pay?

Cash is the usual way for guides and porters. Tipping through an app isn’t standard, so carry small notes.

Do I tip at airports, on trains or in bars?

No tip is expected at airports, on trains or in typical bars and cafés. Guides, drivers and upscale hotel staff are the main people a tip is common for.

Sources

Tipping in China is a custom, not a national rule, so there is no single official page for the amounts above. They are typical ranges.

Official sources: discoverhongkong.com (Hong Kong dining and service charge). Rules change; check before you travel.

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