In Chinese mainland, tipping or gratuities are not common practice in most sectors of life, but it has become okay to tip tour guides, drivers, and hotel bellboys in recognition of their good service.
Tipping in Hong Kong and Macau is more common due to the Western influence.
Below, you will find practical and helpful tips for tipping in China, including Hong Kong and Macau.
Tipping in Chinese Mainland
Tipping in Chinese mainland is not expected or required, and in some places it is even frowned upon. However, superior hotels and restaurants catering to many Western travellers, porters, room service and wait staff may have become accustomed to receiving small tips. If you wish to you can tip these people in cash, or even through some small gifts brought from your country.
The currency used in China is renminbi (RMB), also known as yuan (¥). Other currencies may not be accepted, except in the largest hotels. 1 yuan is equivalent to about $0.15 U.S. dollars.
Tipping at Hotels
In upscale hotels, tipping 5–30 yuan (1–5 USD) to the bell boy who carries your bag(s) may be appropriate.
If you are uncertain about how much to give, just tip based on your bill. Generally, 10–15% of the bill is the most proper amount. In some hotels a service charge is already included within your payment so an extra couple of dollars should be enough for the room attendant if you stay at the same hotel for a couple of days.
Tipping at hostels or inns is generally not expected.
We have more guidance on China Hotels.
Tipping at Restaurants
In the past it has not been customary to leave tips at restaurants in China, with the exception of upscale restaurants due to Western influence. Tipping at fast food restaurant, roadside stands, and most restaurants is neither necessary or expected.
At fine restaurants in larger cities where they are more accustomed to Western visitors, you can leave small tips to your waiter to show your appreciation of their service of about one or two dollars, that is if you are satisfied with the service. Leave more if you are happy with the service or none if you are not.
Due to the uncertainty of when one should or should not tip in China, it may be a better idea to leave the tip on your table rather than giving it directly to the waiter in order to avoid awkwardness.
Recommended tour: 11-Day Classic Wonders (Beijing – Xi'an – Guilin/Yangshuo – Shanghai)
Tipping Taxi Drivers
Tipping taxi drivers in China is not required. In fact, in some places such as airports or other establishments it may illegal. However, if the driver helps you with heavy luggage or makes a special effort to reach your destination on time, then offering a small tip may be well-received.
A good rule of thumb is to keep smaller Chinese bills with you since drivers don't always have change, especially since most transactions in China today are done through WeChat and AliPay.
Do not worry if taxi drivers refuse your tips as it is sometimes against the law for them to take tips or some may have moral objections to tipping for fear of it's negative connotations within Chinese culture.
Tipping Your Tour Guide and Driver
We pay our guides and drivers a good salary plus a performance bonus. However, we realize that some people might like to tip guides or drivers for their service. The amount of your tip is your decision. Our suggestion would be:
- ¥150-¥200/day, for 1 person
- ¥100 day/person for 2 people
- ¥50-¥70 day/person for 3-5 people in a group
- ¥40-¥50 day/person for 6-9 people in a group
- ¥20-¥30 day/person for ≥10 people in a group
For a driver, the cost would be half the amount, and a separate offer from each tourist is best. Of course, only tip if the service has truly satisfied you.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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The tour was of The Greta Wall of China
The tour was excellent. Selinda was very knowledgeable about all the aspects of our tour. Selinda was very interesting and knew so much Chinese history more
Mar 2024, Alice W
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Beautiful Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful guide, whose praises we can not sing loudly enough, was compassionate, caring, and overall endearing! His sense of ease and familiarity with each sight, which were unfamiliar wonders to us, provided a sense of peacefulness that facilitated full enjoyment - helped too by his punctuality and attention to detail. more
Feb 2024, apisn2023
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The Highlights and High Life of Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful tour guide, made our entire trip an absolute joy for us as he was extraordinarily caring, considerate, and generous. Having had the pleasure of taking in the sights of Beijing previously with another lovely guide, Angela, it was spectacular not only to show the family how fantastic the city is but also how high the quality of services provided by China Highlights are. Each day unveiled a new treasure, helpfully detailed by Ethan, and punctuated by delicious and varied local food. Our driver, Mr. Chen, was also a delight, and was equally as key to the overall experience as he was both attentive and almost mystically punctual! more
Feb 2024, Apis
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Great Time in Beijing
Our 4-day experience in Beijing was unforgettable. Our guide, Selinda, opened the doors to the city's millennia-old history and culture with her knowledge, kindness, and courtesy. We discovered magnificent places, tasted delicious food, and stayed in clean hotels, all accompanied by safe and reliable transportation service. We recommend traveling with China Highlights. more
Feb 2024, Nicola B
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3rd time the charm, is being charmed for the 3rd time.
This is my 3rd tour of Beijing in the last 18 months and I think that speaks a little to the quality of service you get with China Highlights. Each time the sites are the same but each tour guide managed to present them in new and wonderful ways. Also some attractions that were undergoing renovations have been completed, so there were new things to see as well.A big thanks to Mr. Michael, our tour this time around. He was very gregarious and knowledgeable about all the sites. more
Feb 2024, Jonathan Mueller
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3rd time the charm, is charmed for the 3rd time
The sites stay the same but each time we have done this tour, the tour guides manage to make it feel like it is the first time you are experiencing it. And, with the constant renovations, this time we were able to see previous areas that were unavailable the last time we came. more
Feb 2024, Jonathan M
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Great trip and experience!
From beginning to end, China Highlights was very courteous, responsive and attentive in planning and executing a great trip!Aspects and execution of the trip was as discussed and was an overall great experience. Our guide, Michael, was very kind and knowledgeable throughout the tour and would address all questions and help us take lots of photos. Would definitely travel with China Highlights again! more
Feb 2024, Karol
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3rd the charm is charmed for the 3rd time
This is my 3rd tour of Beijing in the last 18 months and I think that speaks a little to the quality of service you get with China Highlights. Each time the sites are the same but each tour guide managed to present them in new and wonderful ways. Also some attractions that were undergoing renovations have been completed, so there were new things to see as well.A big thanks to Mr. Michael, our tour this time around. He was very gregarious and knowledgeable about all the sites. more
Feb 2024, jkjmueller
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1 Day in Beijing
Nice views, Not too much people, Jessi (guide ) so friendly and she have a great service & she knows the answer of all your questions more
Feb 2024, Fernando J
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Fabulous day!
Jesse He ,she is a nice tourist guide patience and take good care for us. We had a wonderful time in Beijing,we did the forbidden city and greatwall We love everything ! more
Feb 2024, Charon R
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Private trip in Beijing and Luoyang
We spent 3 days in Beijing with Helen as our guide. We went to TianAnMen, Forbidden City and MuTianYu Great Wall to name a few. Helen took great care of us and is very attentive as I travel with my 60+ years old parents, from asking whether we need restroom breaks to making sure that our lunch were all according to our dietary needs more
Jan 2024, Iriana Iriana
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An excellent day with Linda
Linda (Ling ling)is a great tour guide,provide a lot of knowledge and history of the great wall,and took us to taste very delicious food too,we had a very good time with her!highly recommend her! more
Jan 2024, Angeline Lim
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Great time in Beijing with Bruce
We stayed in Beijing for three days altogether. We went to the summer palace. the Tian'an'men square, the Forbidden City,the Temple of heaven and the Great Wall. Our tour guide Bruce is very friendly and speaks English fluently. He explained every scenic spot to us patiently and humorously. my family are very satisfied with his service. more
Jan 2024, Mayra C
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Bucket List Trip to China
My first stop in China was Beijing. Ethan was my guide there. Daily, they would pick me up and take me to the spots on the itinerary. He helped me plan outside activities like a Chinese acrobat show. He even walked me to my seat in my theater so I could easily find my correct chair. What was most helpful was Ethan waiting with me at the train station and even helping me on to my seat and giving the train attendant my meal order. Very little English was spoken by the train attendant. more
Jan 2024, Megan Sandbothe
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Great Wall at Jinshanling
We went to the Great Wall at Jinshanling which is a very beautiful place which is not that busy. In fact most of the time it felt like we were alone on the wall.The tourguide (Jack) was very knowledgeable and very friendly.A big thumbs up more
Jan 2024, Onno
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Private trip in Beijing and Luoyang
We spent 3 days in Beijing with Helen as our guide. We went to TianAnMen, Forbidden City and MuTianYu Great Wall to name a few. Helen took great care of us and is very attentive as I travel with my 60+ years old parents, from asking whether we need restroom breaks to making sure that our lunch were all according to our dietary needs. We had great 3 days in Beijing.We also visited Luoyang. Our travel advisor arranged a Business class seat for our high speed train to Luoyang. We were picked up at the station by our guide in Luoyang, Lisa. We then visited Dengfeng to see Songyang academy, shaolin temple, Luoyang grottoes. She also took care of us very well and very knowledgeable about the history. more
Jan 2024, lriana lriana
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Beijing 2024
We traveled to Beijing with China Highlights in January 2024. Our tour guide Ethan was organized and knowledgeable which made our trip seamless and very interesting!! He helpfully suggested additional activities if we had time in the evenings and assisted us in booking tickets for them. Visiting the Mutianyu Great wall of China was a big highlight of our time in Beijing! more
Jan 2024, Lydia
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Beijing 2024
We traveled to Beijing with China Highlights in January 2024. Our tour guide Ethan was organized and knowledgeable which made our trip seamless and very interesting!! He helpfully suggested additional activities if we had time in the evenings and assisted us in booking tickets for them. Visiting the Mutianyu Great wall of China was a big highlight of our time in Beijing more
Jan 2024, Explore49612084715
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Beijing
Fantastic couple days in Beijing. Thank you to my guide Mark who eloquently relayed stories about China history and culture. more
Jan 2024, Steve P
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Jack is an excellent guide
Jack is an excellent guide, very patient, punctual, wonderful command of english. I recommend him any day. more
Jan 2024, Brahma
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Tipping in Hong Kong
Tipping in Hong Kong is appreciated and important, just like the rest of the world. The official currency used in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). HK$1 is equivalent to US$0.13.
Tipping at Hotels
HK$10 to 15 for per piece of luggage carried for you is appropriate.
2% of the daily room charge will suffice for the room attendant as well as any smaller change when delivering room service or anything else to the room.
Tipping Waiters and Waitresses
HK$ 5 to 10 at inexpensive restaurants, and about 15% of the bill at fine restaurants, where deserved. Although be aware, this may automatically be added on to your bill as a service charge.
Tipping in the Bathrooms
What many travelers may not be aware of before coming to Hong Kong is that in some hotels and upscale bathrooms you will find attendants in the bathrooms ready to hand you a towel to dry your hands or freshen you up with a spray of perfume or aftershave.
An unspoken rule of thumb in Hong Kong is to leave bathroom attendants a few coins as it is much appreciated.
Tipping Taxi Drivers
Please round the fare up to the next convenient bill size. For example, if your ride comes to HK$48.53, the best practice would be to pay HK$50 and let the driver keep the change. If you prefer, you can also choose to tip a few extra dollars, especially if the driver helps with heavy luggage or takes special efforts to get you to your destination on time.
Some drivers may object to receiving tips (for the same reasons given above for Chinese mainland), whilst others may expect a tip and not give you change automatically assuming it is theirs to keep.
Tipping Your Tour Guides and Drivers
For a 1 person tour, we suggest paying HK$100 to 200 a day for a tour guide. For a driver, it would be HK$100 per day for 1 person. Keep in mind that in some guide and driver jobs, workers are dependent on tips to sustain their income in order to earn enough money, though we ensure our employees are paid a suitable salary.
Our China Tours can be customized to include the natural wonders that capture your imagination.
Tipping in Macau
Tipping is not common practice in Macau as a 10% service charge is included in the price of most goods. However, a small tip is generally appreciated by bellhops and waiters.
The currency used in Macau is the Macanese Pataca (MOP). 1 Macanese Pataca is equivalent to 0.12 U.S. dollars.
Tipping in Macau Casinos
Tipping is not always necessary whilst on one of our tours which include a visit to a casino in Macau. This is due to the high amount of visitors although it is appreciated every now and then from hardworking staff.
Usually, the croupier keeps 10 to 15% of the winning. With bar staff and waiters, a small tip off a couple of USD is appreciated dependant on their helpfulness and quality of service.
In general, there is no entry fee charged in the casinos of Macau, however, you must be over 18 years old to get admission and passport ID may be required.
Our Guides and Your Tour Style
China Highlights guides are trained to a high standard to deliver our high-quality, flexible, and customer-focused tours. We can even pick a guide to suit you.
In a country where pay is tight, tipping is rare, and corners are often cut where service is concerned, you'll be pleased to know we promote a culture of going the extra mile to give you a great China experience.
Our travel experts specialize in designing trips to customer requirements, so that you can discover China your way. Before you set foot in China let us know exactly what you want.
Find out the China Highlights difference by exploring our tour descriptions.