Tipping, Etiquette & Plug Sockets in China
Tipping causes more quiet anxiety than almost anything else on a first trip to China, and the answer is simpler than most guides suggest: you are not expected to tip, and nobody will chase you for it.
Tipping
| Who | Expected? |
|---|---|
| Restaurant staff | No. Service is included and tipping is not customary. |
| Hotel housekeeping | Not expected. Small notes are welcome. |
| Guides and drivers | Not required, and we do not build it into the price as an assumption. If you felt the service was exceptional, a discretionary thank-you is appropriate and appreciated. |
| Porters and luggage handlers | A small note per bag is normal where the service is offered. |
| Taxi and DiDi | No. Round up if you like. |
Table manners that matter
- Never stand chopsticks upright in rice — it mirrors incense at a funeral.
- Do not point at people with chopsticks.
- When someone pours your tea, tap two fingers on the table as thanks.
- Pass and receive things with both hands where practical.
- Do not step on a doorway threshold; step over it.
- Do not touch a child’s head.
- Photography is usually forbidden inside temple halls. Ask before photographing people.
- Do not be surprised by loud restaurants. Volume is a sign of a good table, not a bad one.
Time zones
All of China runs on a single time zone, UTC+8, with no daylight saving. That means the offset from Europe shifts by an hour when Europe changes its clocks, while China does not.
| Market | Offset from China (UTC+8) |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 8 hours behind (7 in British Summer Time) |
| Central Europe (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands) | 7 hours behind (6 in summer) |
| US Eastern | 13 hours behind (12 in daylight saving time) |
| US Pacific | 16 hours behind (15 in daylight saving time) |
| Australia (Sydney/Melbourne) | 3 hours ahead (2 in daylight saving time) |
| New Zealand | 5 hours ahead (4 in daylight saving time) |
| Singapore | Same time zone, no offset |
Plugs and power
China is 220V / 50Hz. Sockets accept the flat two-pin (Type A) and the angled three-pin (Type I). Most chargers are dual-voltage and need only an adaptor, not a converter — check the label on hair dryers and straighteners, which are the usual casualties. A universal adaptor plus a small multi-outlet strip solves a family’s worth of devices in one go.
A few things that make you a good guest
- Stand in queues — they are respected more than visitors expect.
- Do not lose your temper in public. It is the one behaviour that reliably makes a situation worse.
- Bring a thermos. Hot water is free everywhere and it is what locals carry.
- Learn three phrases: “thank you” (谢谢), “not spicy” (不辣), “how much” (多少钱). They change how people treat you more than any amount of tipping.
Common questions
Should I tip my guide?
Do I need a power converter?
Is it rude to refuse food?
Can I take photos everywhere?
Last verified 2026-10-31. Information on this page is checked against official sources and re-verified monthly. If you are booking, we confirm your specific case in writing before you pay anything.
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