HANDBOOK  /  PART 8  /  EVERYDAY CULTURE

Tipping in China

The short answer

For ordinary local services:

tipping is generally not expected.

You normally do not need to tip restaurant servers, taxi drivers, baristas or hotel housekeeping.

Tipping is more likely in international luxury hotels, private tours or services designed heavily around international tourists.

Do not import North American tipping expectations into every transaction.

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Last verified 2026-10-05. Procedures and limits change — check official sources before you travel.