China Shanhe Lu
Beijing Shaanxi Sichuan Yunnan Tibet Guangxi Zhejiang Fujian Gansu Xinjiang Hong Kong, China All provinces
Beijing Xi'an Hangzhou Chengdu Guilin Lhasa Huangshan Zhangjiajie Jiuzhaigou All destinations
Parent-child together Photography and sourcing material Accompanying the elderly Exploring the Flavors of China Ice and Snow Season Tracing the Silk Road
Camel Bells in the Great Desert · Ten Thousand Miles of the Silk Road Misty Waves and Ink Charm: A Poetry Journey in Jiangnan The Origin of Heluo ・ Tracing the Roots of China Tang Style and Han Charm・Chang'an Han China Silk Sea Sail Shadows · Homebound Journey of Overseas Chinese Ancient Shu Divine Relics · Minshan Civilization The Ancestral Court of Zen Buddhism: Tracing the Origins of Buddhist Chants Ancient Buildings of Shanxi Merchants・Ancient Charm of North China The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River・Chu Style and River Charm Five Great Mountains Bow to Heaven · A Tribute to Mountains and Rivers
Pre-trip Guide All routes FAQ Subject Index About Shan He Lu Contact Consultation Itinerary Customization
繁繁體中文KO한국어JA日本語THไทยRUРусскийFRFrançaisVITiếng ViệtESEspañolITItalianoDEDeutschENEnglish
FAQ

Do you need to tip in China? What about tour guides and drivers?

Tipping is not common in China. Restaurants, taxis, hotel rooms, and hair salons do not expect tips, and sometimes giving one can even confuse the recipient. Restaurant bills also do not include service charges (except for a few high-end restaurants). The exception is satisfaction tips for tour guides and drivers: if you are satisfied with the service, it is common to give each guide and driver 100–300 RMB per person per day (or a lump sum for the entire trip), which is considered an industry custom rather than an obligation. In addition, Chinese hotel bellboys and room service staff do not need tips. If you are on a tour, the guide may take you to shopping

Updated on 2026-10-28

Tipping is not common in China. Restaurants, taxis, hotel rooms, and barber shops do not require tips, and giving one might sometimes confuse the recipient. Restaurant bills also do not include a service charge (except in a few high-end restaurants). The exception is satisfaction fees for tour guides and drivers: if you are satisfied with the service, it is common to give the tour guide and driver 100–300 yuan per person per day (or a lump sum for the entire trip), which is an industry practice rather than an obligation. In addition, hotel bellboys and room service staff in China also do not need tips. If you are on a group tour, the guide may take you to shopping spots to earn a commission—this is unrelated to tipping, and only the contract stating "no compulsory shopping" serves as protection.