On a China package, drinks are usually the first thing you pay for yourself, and a restaurant can add a few small lines of its own. Read the menu before you order and the bill before you pay, and ask politely when a line is unclear. Nothing here needs to feel awkward.
It is an easy moment to feel caught out. The set meal arrives, the group is happy, and then a bill appears with items nobody remembers asking for.
What usually costs extra?
Use this table as a checklist before you sit down.
| Item | Who pays | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Soft drinks and bottled water | You, unless stated | Ask what the set meal includes |
| Alcohol | You | Check the price on the menu first |
| Tea, wet towels, tissues | May be a small line on the bill | Say if you do not want them |
| Extra rice or side dishes | You | Confirm before ordering |
| Service charge | Printed on menu or bill, at some restaurants | Ask staff to point to it |
The group meal itself should be paid for in your package. Everything on top is yours.
How do you read the bill?
Ask for the bill, look at it line by line and match it to what you ordered. A translation app lets you scan unfamiliar characters.
Pay the amount shown. You do not tip, since tipping is not customary on the mainland and can feel awkward for waiters[1]. Our tipping guide explains the rest.
What about payment?
QR payment is everywhere, but cash still works. The central bank says renminbi cash is legal tender and merchants should display a cash-accepted sign[2]. Keep a few small notes for drinks and snacks, and link your card to Alipay or Weixin Pay before you travel.
How do you handle a group meal with extras?
At the start of the day, ask your guide three things:
- Which drinks come with the set meal?
- If we want more, who orders and who pays?
- Is there any service charge on top?
When the group splits the extras, agree one payer and settle after the meal by app, so the table stays relaxed. See also upgrading group meals or eating on your own.
What should you do next?
Add a drinks line to your daily food budget so a few bottles of water or a round of juice is not a surprise. The budget planner helps, and the guide to what China packages usually leave out lists other lines to check. The costs topic page gathers them in one place.