Short answer: Tipping is generally not expected in China, toilets vary a lot and you should carry tissues, and the etiquette that matters most is simple: be polite, queue properly, do not point with chopsticks, and do not take photos where signs say not to. Nothing in this guide requires you to learn a formal code — just the everyday habits that avoid awkwardness.
First-timers often worry more about etiquette than they need to. Chinese hosts and shopkeepers are used to foreign visitors and will forgive small mistakes. This guide covers the three topics visitors ask about most — toilets, tipping and everyday manners — plus a few habits that genuinely help. For the wider safety picture, see Is China Safe for First-Time Visitors?.
1. Toilets: what to expect
- Types vary: Modern malls, hotels and airports have Western-style toilets. Older public toilets, stations and rural areas often have squat toilets. Both are normal.
- Carry tissues: Public toilets do not always provide toilet paper. Carry a small pack of tissues and hand sanitiser every day.
- Do not flush paper in some places: In older plumbing, paper goes in the bin provided, not the toilet. Follow the signs in the cubicle.
- Paid toilets: Some public toilets charge a small fee, usually a few yuan in coins or by app. Keep small change handy.
- Finding one: Use malls, hotels and large stations first. A map app with “toilet” or the Chinese characters 厕所 (cè suǒ) helps; see Essential Chinese Phrases.
2. Tipping: generally not expected
Tipping is not a normal part of daily life in China. Restaurant bills have no tip line, taxi drivers do not expect a tip, and hotel staff do not expect one either. A small tip for exceptional service is accepted but never required, and in some places it can cause confusion. If you want to show thanks, a polite word and a good review matter more than cash. For restaurant and money habits, see How to Order Food in China and Money in China.
3. Everyday etiquette that actually matters
- Queue: Queue properly for metros, tickets and food stalls. Pushing in is noticed and unwelcome.
- Chopsticks: Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice, do not point with them, and do not use them to pass food directly from chopstick to chopstick.
- Photos: Ask before photographing people closely, and obey no-photo signs in temples, museums and some attractions.
- Shoes: In homes and some traditional venues, remove shoes if your host does or if slippers are offered.
- Gifts and business cards: Accept and give with both hands if offered; it is a sign of respect, not a formal rule for tourists.
- Volume: Keep your voice down in metros, temples and quiet restaurants. Loud phone calls on public transport are noticed.
4. What not to worry about
You do not need to master tea ceremony etiquette, learn formal greetings, or avoid every small mistake. Visitors who are polite, patient and willing to follow local cues — watching what others do at a ticket gate, a restaurant or a temple — will do fine. If you are unsure, ask your hotel front desk: they answer these questions every day.
Customs vary by region and venue. The habits above are general first-timer guidance; a specific venue’s signs and staff instructions govern on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Should I tip in China?
Generally no. Tipping is not expected in restaurants, taxis or hotels, and a tip is never required.
Do I need to carry toilet paper in China?
Yes, carry tissues and hand sanitiser. Public toilets do not always provide paper.
Are squat toilets common in China?
Yes, especially in older public toilets and rural areas, alongside Western-style toilets in malls, hotels and airports.