Do You Need to Tip in China? Understanding Local Customs

If you’re traveling to China, it’s important to know that tipping isn’t a big part of local culture—quite different from what you might be used to in the U.S. or Europe. In most everyday situations—restaurants, hotels, taxis, or hair salons—service staff don’t expect tips. Their salaries already include their service compensation.

Exceptions for Upscale Places
In high-end restaurants, bars, or five-star hotels, especially in major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, or Guangzhou, tipping is slowly becoming more common. This is mainly due to international visitors who are used to tipping. While some staff at these places understand the tipping culture, it’s never mandatory.

For most Chinese people, providing good service is simply part of the job—it’s not considered something that needs a “reward.”

Service Charges in China
A service charge is a fixed fee automatically added to your bill, usually 10–15% of the total. This covers service costs. You’ll mostly see this in upscale restaurants, bars, or five-star hotel dining, especially in international cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong.

The service charge is included in your bill, so you don’t need to pay extra. Bills will usually indicate the service charge explicitly (for example, “10% Service Charge”), and you pay it along with your regular payment method—cash, card, or mobile payment.

Tipping vs. Service Charges
Here’s the key difference:

• Tipping is voluntary. You decide how much to give and to whom. Tips go directly to the staff.
• Service charges are mandatory, set by the business, and go to the company to cover employee wages or operational costs.

So when you travel in China, don’t feel pressured to tip everywhere. Just enjoy the service and follow local customs.