The short answer
No. Tipping is not expected in restaurants, taxis, hotels, or teahouses in Chengdu. Service charges are usually included, and staff do not rely on tips. Rounding up a taxi fare is fine but not necessary.
Restaurants and teahouses
Restaurant bills usually include the cost of service, and staff do not expect a tip. Leaving extra money may be politely refused or cause confusion. In teahouses, the tea price covers the seat and refills; no tip is needed.
If you had exceptional service, a small voluntary tip is not offensive, but it is not part of the culture. Do not feel obligated. The same applies to hotpot restaurants and noodle shops.
Check the bill for a service charge, especially at hotel restaurants and upscale Sichuan places; 10–15% is sometimes added, and it is not a tip. Tea and tissues may be charged per person. If you see 'cān jù fèi' (utensil fee) or 'chá wèi fèi' (tea seat fee), that is normal, not a hint to tip.
- No tip in restaurants
- No tip in teahouses
- Service usually included
- Check the bill for a service charge
Taxis, hotels and tours
Taxi drivers do not expect tips. Pay the meter fare; rounding up to the nearest yuan is optional. DiDi fares are fixed by the app, and there is no tipping prompt.
Hotel staff, porters, and housekeeping do not expect tips. If someone goes out of their way to help, a small tip is a personal choice, not a requirement. Tour guides may accept a tip, but check whether it is included in your package.
Use the meter or the app fare. If a driver helps with luggage, a rounded-up fare is enough. DiDi has no tipping function, and adding cash is awkward. Keep small notes for older taxis that may not accept mobile payment, especially late at night.
Why the norm is different
Tipping is not part of Chinese service culture, and wages are structured differently. Adding a tip can make a server uncomfortable or create an expectation that locals do not share. The best way to show appreciation is to be polite and leave a positive review.
If you are unsure, follow the local norm: pay the bill, say thank you, and do not leave extra. For taxis, round up only if it makes the transaction easier.
Service staff are paid a wage, and tipping can create awkwardness or the impression that you are overpaying. Tipping is also not expected in massage shops, barbers, or convenience stores. Tour guides are the exception in some packaged tours; check your booking terms before you hand over cash.
- Pay the meter, no tip
- Hotel staff do not expect tips
- Politeness matters more than extra cash
- Check tour terms for guide gratuity
What to do instead
If you want to show appreciation, be on time, be patient with language gaps, and say 'xièxie' (thank you) or 'hǎo chī' (delicious). A positive review on Dianping, Meituan, or Google Maps helps a small restaurant more than a few yuan. If you had a guide, a written thank-you or a small gift from your home country is often more welcome than cash.
Round up only when it simplifies payment—for example, a CNY 28 fare paid with CNY 30. Do not leave coins on the table as a tip; it can look like forgotten change. If you are with a group and the bill is split, pay your share plus any service charge, and do not add a tip on top. The local norm is simple: pay what is owed, and be pleasant.
- Leave a positive review instead
- Round up only to simplify payment
Keep reading
Sources and further reading