What Local Customs or Taboos Should I Be Aware of in Chengdu? Dining, Tipping & Temple Etiquette
Chengdu is a laid-back, welcoming city known for its spicy food, teahouses, and giant pandas. But like any place with a long history and strong local culture, there are certain customs and taboos visitors should know. This guide covers the most important ones — from dining and tipping to temple behavior — so you can explore Chengdu with confidence and respect.
1. Dining Etiquette & Taboos in Chengdu
Chengdu is the heart of Sichuan cuisine. Eating here is a social, lively, and often fiery experience. Keep these points in mind:
Do’s
-Use public chopsticks (gōng kuài) when dining with others, especially post-COVID. Many restaurants provide them.
-Wait for the host to start eating or give a signal before you begin.
-Compliment the food — saying “hǎo chī” (delicious) is always appreciated.
-Share dishes family-style — this is normal and expected.
-Try the tea — when someone pours you tea, lightly tap two fingers on the table as a silent “thank you” (a traditional Cantonese custom now common across China).
Don’ts
-Don’t stick chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice — this resembles incense sticks at a funeral and is considered extremely bad luck.
-Don’t use your own chopsticks to search through shared dishes — use the public chopsticks or the serving spoon.
-Don’t flip fish (turn it over) — in some traditional circles, flipping a fish is associated with a fishing boat capsizing. Instead, eat the top side, then lift the bone to eat the bottom.
-Don’t point at people with chopsticks — it’s rude.
-Don’t leave a tiny amount of food in your bowl — finish what you take; wasting food is frowned upon, though leaving a small leftover can sometimes signal you’re full.
Special note on spicy food
If you can’t handle spicy food, say “bù là” — but note that many Sichuan dishes have hidden chili and Sichuan peppercorn (má). You may want to say “qīng dàn yī diǎn” (a little lighter/less spicy) instead.
2. Tipping in Chengdu — Is It Expected?
No. Tipping is not expected in Chengdu, and in many places it is refused.
Here’s a breakdown by situation:
| Situation | Tipping expected? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants (casual) | No | Just pay the bill. Some upscale restaurants add a 10–15% service charge. |
| Restaurants (high-end) | No | Service charge may already be included. No extra tip needed. |
| Taxis / Didi (ride-hailing) | No | Round up to the nearest yuan if you like, but not necessary. |
| Hotels (porters, housekeeping) | No | Tipping is uncommon; a polite “xiè xie” is enough. |
| Tour guides / drivers | Not expected | Some travelers tip ¥50–100/day for exceptional service, but it’s optional. |
| Street food stalls | No | Just pay the exact or rounded amount. |
*If you leave cash on the table after a meal, some staff may chase after you thinking you forgot it. To avoid confusion, simply pay the exact amount.
3. Temple Etiquette in Chengdu
Chengdu has several famous Buddhist and Taoist temples, including Wenshu Monastery, Zhaojue Temple, and Qingyang Taoist Temple. Show respect with these guidelines:
Before entering
-Dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees. Avoid sleeveless tops, short skirts, or revealing clothing.
-Remove your hat and sunglasses before entering the main hall.
-Turn off or silence your phone.
Inside the temple
-Enter and exit side doors — the central door is reserved for monks and deities.
-Step over the threshold — do not step directly on it.
-No photos inside shrine halls where Buddha or Taoist statues are present (look for signs; when in doubt, don’t shoot).
-Bow, don’t point — don’t point fingers at statues; bow slightly instead.
-Keep your voice low — temples are places of quiet contemplation.
Offerings and incense
-Use an odd number of incense sticks (usually 1 or 3) — odd numbers are auspicious.
-Hold incense with both hands at chest level when bowing.
-Place incense in the burner yourself — don’t hand it to a monk unless invited.
-Don’t blow out incense flames — gently wave your hand to extinguish them.
Don’ts
-Don’t touch statues or ritual objects.
-Don’t sit or lean on altars.
-Don’t hug or climb temple guardian lions or other decorations.
-Don’t take photos with Buddha behind you — posing with your back to a deity is considered disrespectful by some.
Donations
Donation boxes are common. A small amount (¥1–10) is fine. No pressure to donate.
4. Other Local Customs & Taboos in Chengdu
Gift-giving
-Do give fruit, tea, or small souvenirs from your hometown.
-Don’t give clocks (sòng zhōng, sounds like “attending a funeral”), umbrellas (sǎn = separation), or sharp objects (knives/scissors = cutting off relationship).
-Don’t wrap gifts in white or black paper — those are funeral colors. Red, gold, or pink are festive.
At a teahouse (gài wǎn chá)
-When someone refills your tea, lightly tap two fingers on the table to say thanks.
-You can ask for hot water refills for free — tea leaves last many rounds.
Personal space & social behavior
-Chengdu people are generally warm and relaxed. Loud arguments in public are rare.
-Spitting and nose-picking in public still happen, especially among older people, but it’s not considered polite. You don’t need to copy it.
-Queuing: Usually orderly, but metro stations can get pushy during rush hour. Just go with the flow.
Numbers and colors
-Lucky: 6, 8, 9. Red = happiness and good fortune.
-Unlucky: 4 (sounds like “death”). Avoid giving gifts in sets of 4. White and black = mourning.
Quick Reference Summary Table
| Category | Do | Don’t |
|---|---|---|
| Dining | Use public chopsticks, tap fingers for tea | Stick chopsticks upright in rice, flip whole fish |
| Tipping | Not required; optional for excellent tour guides | Feel pressured to tip — it’s not expected |
| Temple | Dress modestly, bow, use odd incense sticks | Point at statues, take photos of Buddha, step on threshold |
| Gifts | Tea, fruit, souvenirs | Clocks, umbrellas, sharp objects |
| Teahouse | Tap fingers to thank for refill | Blow incense out with mouth |
Final Tip
When in doubt, observe what locals do and follow their lead. Chengdu people are generally friendly and forgiving toward tourists who make honest mistakes. A sincere smile and a simple “duì bù qǐ” (sorry) or “xiè xie” (thank you) go a long way.