Tipping and Etiquette in China

The easiest rule is this: in ordinary restaurants, taxis, and hotels in Mainland China, a tip is usually not expected. Pay the displayed bill, say thank you, and do not turn a simple transaction into an awkward negotiation.

There are exceptions. An international hotel, a private guide, or an organised tour may have its own policy. Check the booking terms rather than guessing, and use the same payment record you would use for any other service.

Tipping in everyday situations

Restaurants and cafés

Most local restaurants do not expect a percentage tip. If the bill includes a service charge, it should be shown on the bill. Do not leave cash behind simply because that is customary at home. If you want to show appreciation for exceptional help, do it discreetly and accept a refusal gracefully.

Taxis and ride-hailing

Pay the fare shown by the meter or app. A rounded-up fare is not required. What helps more than a tip is confirming the plate, paying through the proper channel, and keeping the receipt if you need to recover an item later.

Hotels and guides

Large international hotels may be more familiar with tipping, while local hotels may not expect it. For a private guide, driver, or tour leader, follow the operator's written advice and do not feel pressured by a last-minute request. A clear review through the booking platform can be as useful as cash.

Small habits that make public spaces easier

• Queue where there is a visible line, even if the space feels busy.
• Let passengers leave a lift, train, or metro carriage before entering.
• Keep your voice modest on public transport and in hotel corridors.
• Do not block doors, escalators, security checks, or train gates while looking at a phone.
• Offer a seat when someone clearly needs it more than you do.

Cities are different, crowds move at different speeds, and a busy station is not a classroom in etiquette. The goal is simply not to make the shared space harder for everyone else.

Restaurants and shared dishes

Many meals are shared. It is normal for several dishes to arrive in the middle of the table and for people to take small portions. Use the serving spoon or communal chopsticks if they are provided. Do not worry if you are not perfect with chopsticks; asking for a spoon or fork is fine.

If you do not drink alcohol, say so plainly. You do not need to invent a medical reason. A simple “No, thank you” is enough. If you are invited to a meal, arriving on time and thanking the host matters more than mastering every rule at the table.

Temples, religious places, and historic sites

Treat a working religious site as a place of worship, not a photo set. Follow posted instructions, dress reasonably, keep the phone quiet, and ask before taking close photographs of worshippers or ceremonies. Do not climb on structures, touch objects marked off-limits, or fly a drone. Some sites have specific photography rules, so the sign at the entrance wins over a general travel tip.

Photographing people

Ask before making a close portrait, especially of children, older people, workers, worshippers, or anyone who may feel singled out. A smile and a gesture toward your camera is often enough; if the answer is unclear or negative, do not take the photo. For a crowd scene, stay aware of private conversations, changing rooms, hospital areas, and security staff.

Gifts and polite refusals

For a host or a family you know, a small item from home is usually easier than an expensive gift. Avoid making the price of a gift the main event. If someone offers you something and you cannot accept, thank them and decline once or twice without a dramatic explanation.

If a stranger asks for a photo, a sales pitch, or a detour you do not want, try:

不用了，谢谢。\n> Bú yòng le, xièxie.\n> No, thank you.

Then keep walking. You do not owe a stranger a long conversation.

The useful version of etiquette

Be clear, unhurried, and respectful. Follow signs, do not assume a foreign habit is universal, and let the setting tell you what is appropriate. That will carry you further than memorising a list of taboos.

Sources and further reading

• Shanghai Municipal Government, transport services and multilingual visitor support: https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Policies/20250402/589d2d4c557e48539549a502fa76fb01.html
• Shanghai Municipal Government, official taxi guidance: https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Transportation/20250919/5dd5b4725b7344cab776d3ddcbce224d.html
• UK Government, China safety guidance including respectful conduct around sensitive sites: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china/safety-and-security

Last reviewed: 24 July 2026.