How much to tip hotel housekeeping in China (2026 Guide)
¥10–20 per day at international 5-star hotels; ¥0 elsewhere
Tipping calculator
Cultural notes
Housekeeping tipping is a foreign-tourist behaviour confined largely to international chains (Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Ritz-Carlton, Park Hyatt) in Beijing, Shanghai, Sanya and Hong Kong-adjacent Shenzhen. Local chains (Hanting, Atour, Jin Jiang) and budget hotels do not expect housekeeping tips, and money left on the pillow may be returned to reception. If you do tip, leave the cash on the desk with a small note ("给清洁员 — for housekeeping") so it does not read as forgotten money.
Common mistakes
Leaving foreign currency — only RMB has practical value to local staff. Loose change on the pillow without context will often be left untouched.
Frequently asked questions
Should I tip housekeeping at a Shanghai Marriott?
¥10–20 per night is appreciated and increasingly accepted; not required.
At a Hanting or 7 Days Inn?
No. Staff are not set up to receive tips.
Tipping other services in China
- Sit-down restaurant¥0; 10% service charge sometimes added at hotel/luxury restaurants
- Counter / takeaway¥0
- Café¥0
- Bar¥0 at local bars; ¥10–20 at high-end Western cocktail bars
- Porter¥5–10 per bag at international hotels; ¥0 elsewhere
- Concierge¥50–100 for substantial help; otherwise none
- Taxi¥0
- Rideshare¥0 — DiDi has no in-app tipping for standard rides
- Food deliveryOptional ¥1–5 via in-app "reward rider" (打赏骑手)
- Grocery delivery¥0
- Hairdresser¥0
- Spa¥20–50 at high-end hotel spas; ¥0 at local foot-massage shops
- Tour guide¥100–200 per day private English guide; ¥50–100 per day for drivers
- Tattoo artist¥0
- Valet¥10–20 at international 5-star hotels; ¥0 elsewhere
- Airport baggage¥5–10 per bag for skycap-style airport porters; no tip for hotel-shuttle drivers
- BuskerSmall change (¥1–10) if you stop to listen; payment via WeChat QR is more common
- Movers¥0; ¥20–50 per worker for stairs, heavy items, or long hours
- Tradesperson¥0 — the quoted price is the price
Tipping hotel housekeeping in nearby countries
Last verified: · Sources: chinasurvivalkit.com