Tips On Tipping
From ChinaTravelGuide
Tipping used to be illegal in China before 1980s, and it is still not officially recognized in mainland China. However, tips are now frequently offered to and accepted by travel guides, tour bus drivers, porters and waiters in top-class hotels and restaurants. Still, it is not customary to leave tips at regular hotel, taxis or local restaurants as the bill usually includes 10-15% service charge.
Tour operators usually suggest $3-10 USD per person per day for the tour guide, $2-6 USD for the driver, and $1-3 USD for hotel bellboys (depending on your satisfaction and number of people in the group). Half the tipping for children. Double the tipping for active tours like hiking, biking, rafting.
Small gifts such as paperbacks, pens and western cigarettes from foreign countries that are not available in China are often preferred items to the locals. Make sure that they are not made in China. Any gift or tips may be initially rejected as part of the polite Chinese ritual.
The tipping practice in Hong Kong is much like that in UK, or USA. Tips about 10% to 15% of the restaurant bill is the norm if the gratuity isn't included in the bill. For taxis, you should round the fare up to the next dollar amount.
