A common part of most Chinese KTVs are the "karaoke girls." In many cases, these women are similar to a waitress or restaurant hostess. However, some girls, depending on which KTV you go to, may be male escorts, and there can be serious risks of legal misunderstandings or other problems. To avoid this, it's best to go to a karaoke bar with a local who knows the area, or to stick to KTVs in tourist spots or close to your hotel.
While you can find karaoke in its typical American setting in nightclubs and hotel bars, more often you'll find yourself going to a KTV. Generally, payment is per song; at the larger KTVs food and drink are either free or extremely cheap with the expectation that you'll sing several songs.
If you go to a KTV with a group, you will be expected to sing. To not sing is considered very impolite, so be prepared to break out at least one of your favorite songs. The volume will be very high, so people sensitive to loud noises should bring earplugs. Finally, if you're with a group, don't worry about keeping your eyes on the singer; doing something else while somebody sings isn't considered rude, so feel free to check your phone or talk to friends. And, of course, always applaud.
