Understand the journey
What this looks like on a real trip
Everyday travel goes more smoothly when you check the specific place in front of you: a temple, restaurant and train station can have very different rules.
Avoid broad lists of things people supposedly always do. At an attraction, check the official ticket and photography notices. At a restaurant, agree on the dish, price and any allergy concern before paying. Courtesy and clear questions are more dependable than a universal script.
At a glance · editorial diagram
A useful pause before you enter, order or pay
Look for the rule that applies to the exact place and transaction.
- 01
Attractions
Check the official ticket, time slot, entrance and photography rules.
- 02
Meals
Confirm ingredients, portion and price; take an allergy uncertainty seriously.
- 03
Payment
Review the amount and merchant before scanning or authorizing a transaction.
The short answer
What etiquette should a first-time visitor know?
Be attentive to the setting and follow posted rules. Ask before photographing people, keep quiet where a venue asks for it, queue at ticket checks, and treat religious and historic spaces respectfully. Local habits differ across a large country; simple courtesy and checking signs matter more than memorizing a long list of supposed rules.
Read visitor safety and scam adviceBefore you go
- Check official photography, bag and timed-entry rules for major attractions on your itinerary.
- Carry your original passport: police can conduct ID checks, and FCDO advice says printed copies are not accepted.
- Save dietary restrictions in written Chinese to show restaurant staff.
- Carry a small pack of tissues and confirm whether a restroom has the facilities you need.
Choose the relevant path
Which situation fits your trip?
A ticketed attraction
- If
- You are entering a museum, landmark, scenic area or religious site.
- Do this
- Check the venue's own reservation, identity, opening-day, bag and photography rules before arriving. Follow staff instructions on site.
- Watch for
- A listing on a travel platform may not show a changed entry gate or a temporary restriction.
A shared meal
- If
- You are dining with others or ordering dishes for a table.
- Do this
- Share dishes where appropriate, check price and portion size, and show dietary restrictions in written Chinese.
- Watch for
- For allergies, do not accept a vague translation or a guess about ingredients.
A stranger offers a special experience
- If
- Someone approaches near a busy sight and invites you to tea, a bar, massage, shopping or a private tour.
- Do this
- Check the venue and full price yourself before agreeing, or decline and use an official ticket desk or reviewed booking channel.
- Watch for
- UK travel advice specifically warns about tea-tasting and massage scams around tourist areas.
Follow the steps
Practical playbooks
01
Enter a major sight without a ticket surprise
Use this the day before a must-see attraction.
- 1.Find the attraction's official website or ticket channel and verify its current opening day, entry window, passport requirements and permitted entrance.
- 2.If using a third-party ticket, confirm exactly what it includes, whether the seller has issued a real reservation, and which document the venue will check.
- 3.Save the QR code or reservation number and the passport used for booking. Do not assume a screenshot alone replaces real-name identity checks.
- 4.Check the bag, food, tripod and photography rules. Arrive with time for security and a walk from the map pin to the actual gate.
02
Eat safely and understand the bill
Useful when menus are translated poorly or someone has a dietary restriction.
- 1.Point to a photo or menu item, then confirm portion, price and whether it is spicy or contains ingredients you avoid.
- 2.For an allergy, show the written Chinese name of the allergen and ask staff to check preparation and sauces; choose a different meal if they cannot confirm.
- 3.Ask for bottled or boiled water if you need drinking water. UK travel-health advice says mainland tap water is generally not safe to drink untreated.
- 4.Review the itemized total before scanning a QR code or handing over a card. Ordinary restaurants and taxis generally do not require a tip; check any stated service charge.
03
Decline a pressured sale or suspicious QR code
A calm exit plan around tourist hotspots.
- 1.Before accepting a tea tasting, massage, bar visit or unofficial tour, ask for a written price and location. If the answer is unclear, decline and walk away.
- 2.For attraction tickets, use the official site, ticket counter or a reputable platform with clear refund and support terms.
- 3.Do not scan a QR code to install an unknown app or enter bank credentials; QR phishing is a documented traveler risk.
- 4.If a dispute becomes threatening, move to a staffed public place and call 110. Preserve the merchant name, payment record and messages.
More practical detail
Prices, tipping and the bill
Most friction comes from unclear prices, not unfamiliar customs. Ask before you commit.
- Tipping
- Not generally expected in ordinary restaurants and taxis. Check the bill for a service charge before adding anything.
- Menu prices
- Confirm the total, portion and whether a dish is per person or per plate before ordering.
- Tea and tableware
- Some restaurants charge for tea or sealed tableware. Ask if the charge is unclear rather than disputing it after the meal.
- Shared dishes
- Order family-style and ask for serving spoons if you prefer. Confirm spice level and allergies in writing.
Show this when words are difficult
Save the relevant line with your address or booking. Show the Chinese text to staff rather than relying on pronunciation.
Ask a price
请先告诉我总价，包括所有费用。
Please tell me the total price, including all fees, first.
Decline politely
谢谢，我不需要。
Thank you, I do not need it.
Check photography
这里可以拍照吗？
May I take photos here?
If things go wrong
- If staff stop an activity, follow their direction first and ask for clarification with a translator or at the information desk.
- If food safety or an allergy is in question, do not rely on an uncertain translation; choose a clearly suitable alternative.
Common questions
Do I need to tip in China?
Tipping is not generally expected in ordinary restaurants and taxis. Check the bill and the venue's policy for a specific service.
Can I photograph inside every attraction?
No. Rules differ by site and even by room. Follow official signs and ask staff when unsure.
Should I bargain in China?
Not in shops with marked prices. Some markets allow negotiation, but agree the price before the item is prepared or paid for; walking away is a normal response to an unclear price.
Sources & review
Reviewed on 18 October 2026. Rules, services and local operating details can change. Check the linked authority or venue again close to travel.
- State Council: visitor guide for China
Official practical services and visitor information.
- Beijing government: arrival-to-return visitor guide
Visitor services and local attraction planning.
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: safety and security
Tourist-area scams and QR phishing.
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: health
Drinking-water and health advice.
- Trip.com: visitor etiquette
Secondary editorial reference for ordinary tipping practice; follow the venue's own terms.