Tipping
Tipping is not expected in China, but it is enormously appreciated. For a person who earns US$ 100 per month, a US$ 10 tip is about 3 days' wages. Up-market hotels and some restaurants may slap a 5% service charge on top of the government's 10% value-added tax (VAT). This service charge might be considered a mandatory tip, though it's doubtful that much of it reaches the employees. In general, if you stay a couple of days in the same hotel it's not such a bad idea to tip the staff who clean your room - US$ 2 should be enough.
You should also consider tipping drivers and guides - after all, the time they spend on the road with you means time away from home and family, especially when they accompany with you at night for overtime. Ditto if you take a day tour with a group - the guides and drivers are paid next to nothing. Typically, travelers on minibus tours will pool together to collect a communal tip separately for guide and driver.
For group of 1-4 passengers, recommend tipping policy is: About US$ 5 per day (per tourist) for guide, US$ 2 per day (per tourist) for driver is standard. Of course, give more if you're feeling generous, but if you find a genuine reason not to tip, don't.
For group of 5 passengers and above, recommend tipping policy is:
About US$ 2 per day (per tourist) for guide, US$ 1 per day (per tourist) for driver is standard. Of course, give more if you're feeling generous, but if you find a genuine reason not to tip, don't.
