How to Use Dianping (大众点评) in China: Complete Foreigner's Guide

Imagine having Yelp, OpenTable, Groupon, and TripAdvisor combined into one app—except it's used by 300 million Chinese hosting reviews for 15 million businesses. That's Dianping (大众点评), and if you try eating in China without it, you're ordering blind.

But here's the insider secret: while the app is primarily Chinese, there are three different ways to make it functional in English, clever workarounds for reservations, and techniques to avoid tourist traps that even Chinese users fall for.

This step-by-step guide holds your hand through everything from downloading and account setup to deciphering reviews and booking restaurants without speaking a word of Chinese.

What Is Dianping & Why You Need It

Dianping (owned by Meituan, China's largest lifestyle platform) is the undisputed king of Chinese food discovery. It's:

• Review aggregator: 300M+ authentic reviews (not fake stars)
• Reservation system: Book tables instantly (like OpenTable)
• Discount platform: 30-50% off food, often
• Menu browser: Full menus with photos and prices in advance
• Location-based: Finds best-rated food within walking distance
• Delivery integration: Massive food delivery network (in major cities)

Platform Stats

• 15 million businesses across China (food, shopping, services, entertainment)
• Average rating accuracy: 4.2 vs 4.0 on TripAdvisor due to more reviews
• Penetration: 95% of reviewed restaurants accept Dianping bookings
• User base: Your competitors for tables are locals using this app

Dianping vs. Western Equivalents

Feature	Dianping	Yelp	TripAdvisor	OpenTable
Review depth	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Massive	⭐⭐⭐ Sections	⭐⭐⭐ Travel focus	N/A
Real-time booking	✅ Yes	❌ Partial	❌ No	✅ Yes
Discounts/coupons	✅ 30-50% off	⚠️ Minor deals	⚠️ Limited	❌ Rare
Photo-heavy reviews	✅ 90% have photos	⭐⭐⭐ 60%	⭐⭐⭐ 70%	N/A
English support	⚠️ Partial	✅ Native	✅ Native	✅ Native

Download & Installation: Before You Land

Safe Download Sources (Pre-China)

Critical: Download before arriving in China. Some app stores get restricted.

iPhone (iOS):

1. App Store region: Must switch to "China Mainland" region .or. search international stores
2. Search: "大众点评" or "Dianping"
3. Developer: Meituan (美团)
4. Size: ~300MB
5. Alternative: Use web version (described later)

Android:

• Safe sources: Google Play (if available), Huawei App Gallery, Xiaomi Store
• Avoid: Third-party APK sites (security risk, potential malware)
• Developer: Meituan (美团)

Permission Setup (On First Launch)

Dianping will request:

• Location access: Critical for nearby recommendations
• Camera: For scanning menus, QR codes
• Photos: For uploading your own reviews
• Notifications: Deal alerts (can disable later)
• Contact: Optional, for sharing with friends

Recommended: Allow location + camera (essential), others optional.

Account Setup: Step-by-Step

Method 1: International Phone Number (Surprisingly Works)

Timeline: 2 minutes

1. Open Dianping → Tap "我的" (Me, bottom right)
2. Tap top banner "登录/注册" (Login/Register)
3. Select country code: Scroll to your country
4. Enter phone number (no + or 00 prefix needed)
5. Receive SMS code (can take 30 seconds to 2 minutes)
6. Enter code → Account created!

Pop-up profile setup:

• Nickname: English works
• Gender: Optional
• Done! You can now use 80% of features immediately.

✅ Success rate: ~70% for foreign numbers (US, Canada, UK, Australia, EU all confirmed working).

Method 2: Email/ WeChat (Backup Options)

If phone number fails:

WeChat Login (Recommended if you have WeChat):

1. Tap "微信登录" (WeChat login)
2. Authorize Dianping in WeChat
3. Instant account creation
4. Advantage: Linked payment (if you set up WeChat Pay)

Email Registration (Chinese interface):

1. Need Chinese email OR existing email + Chinese ID
2. More complicated: Skip unless other methods fail

Method 3: No Registration (Web Version)

For quick browsing without full app account:

• Go to www.dianping.com on mobile browser
• M-site works in English (basic version)
• Search restaurants by name or category
• Limitations: No bookings, no coupons, no saving favorites

Common Registration Issues

"Verification failed":

• Wait full 60 seconds between SMS requests
• Try Wi-Fi vs cellular data switch
• Use WeChat login method instead

"This number is registered":

• Someone else may have used it
• Use "Forgot password" → reset via SMS
• Or create new account via WeChat

English Interface: Hack Methods

Dianping's "official" English support is minimal, but three workarounds make it usable:

Method 1: iOS System Translation (Most Effective)

iPhone/iPad users:

1. Install the app in Chinese
2. Long press on any screen (text becomes highlighted)
3. Tap "Translate" (pop-up bubble)
4. iOS translates entire screen overlay
5. Pro tip: Set "Translate to English" as default, now use Dianping fully translated

Accuracy: 85-90% translation quality. Perfect for categories + reviews.

Method 2: Live Camera Translation

Google Translate app (pre-downloaded):

1. Open Google Translate → Tap camera icon
2. Point at Dianping interface/text
3. Real-time overlay in English

Use case: Reading paper menus when not on Dianping, or verifying translated results.

Method 3: Understand Chinese Categories (Key Cheat Sheet)

Memorize these keywords and Dianping becomes 50% English:

Chinese	Pinyin	English	Dianping Category
美食	Měishí	Food	Main restaurant tab
电影	Diànyǐng	Movies	Entertainment
酒店	Jiǔdiàn	Hotels	Accommodation
购物	Gòuwù	Shopping	Retail
休闲娱乐	Xiūxián yúlè	Leisure	Entertainment
景点	Jǐngdiǎn	Attractions	Travel
玩乐	Wánlè	Play	Activities

Restaurant sub-categories:

• 火锅 (Huǒguō) - Hot pot
• 烧烤 (Shāokǎo) - BBQ
• 川菜 (Chuāncài) - Sichuan
• 粤菜 (Yuècài) - Cantonese
• 日料 (Rìliào) - Japanese
• 西餐 (Xīcān) - Western

Search & Discovery: Finding Great Food

Searching Without Chinese Characters

Option 1: Transliteration Search Try these in the main search bar:

• "Dumpling" → often works → returns "饺子"
• "BBQ" → works → returns "烧烤"
• "Noodles" → often works → returns "面条"

Option 2: Category Icon Navigation (Visual) The bottom search bar has 5 icons:

1. 🍜 Food (美食)
2. 🎬 Entertainment (电影)
3. 🏨 Hotel (酒店)
4. 🛍️ Shopping (购物)
5. 🎯 Services (生活服务)

Tap food icon → Use built-in filters (visual):

• Price: ¥ (cheap) to ¥¥¥ (expensive)
• Cuisine type: Visual food icons (look for pizza, burger, sushi, etc.)
• Distance: 500m, 1km, 3km
• Rating: 4.0+, 4.5+

Location-Based "Near Me" Discovery

Best feature for travelers: Nearby rankings

1. On main screen, allow location access
2. Tap "附近" (Nearby) at top
3. Instant: Shows top 10 restaurants within 1km, ranked #1-#10
4. Filter by "美食" (food) → "near me" becomes your tour guide

No searching needed: Open app anywhere → Tap "Nearby" → Pick top 5 ranked → Go.

Restaurant Page Deep Dive (English Labels)

Once you find a restaurant, here's what you're seeing:

Top section:

• Restaurant name (Chinese, but Google Translate camera works)
• Overall rating (number, usually 4.0-4.8 stars)
• Review count (number of people who left reviews)
• ¥¥-¥¥¥ price indicator (per person estimate)
• Category tags (火锅, 川菜, etc.)

Middle section:

• "Top dishes" with photos (swipe horizontally to browse)
• Menu tab: Full digital menu! With prices + photos
• Coupon section: Discounts like "20% off lunch" (buy in advance)
• Book table: Button for real-time reservation (or join digital queue)

Bottom section:

• User reviews: Photo-heavy descriptions
• Filter reviews: By "with photos," "recent," "highest rating"
• Location: Map + walking distance

Booking & Reservations: No Chinese Required

Instant Table Booking (Guide)

Best for: Most restaurants rated 4.0+ with 500+ reviews

1. Restaurant page → Tap "订座" (Book table)
2. Select date/time (usually shows today + 7 days forward)
3. Enter number of people (2, 3, 4, 6+)
4. Add note (Critical): Use this template → "Foreign guest, English OK? No Chinese"
5. Confirm (usually free for booking)
6. Receive confirmation (Dianping notification + SMS)

What happens at restaurant:

• Tell host: "I have a Dianping reservation" (show them phone screen)
• Most 4.5+ restaurants will have your English name on file
• 50% of staff speak basic English in major cities

Digital Queue System (Impossible Without Chinese Help)

Some popular restaurants don't take reservations—only digital "queue" (like waiting in line virtually).

Hack for foreigners:

1. Find restaurant with "在线取号" (online ticket)
2. If you can't read Chinese: Ask hotel staff or a friendly local
3. Give them your phone → They'll set queue for you
4. You'll get notified when your table is ready
5. Arrive within 10 minutes of notification

Alternative: If you're runway hungry at prime time, show up in person and tell host "Dianping queue, my name is [your name]". Often they can manually enter you.

Buying Discount Coupons (Save 30-50%)

Coupon system works like Groupon:

1. Restaurant page → Scroll to "代金券" (Voucher) section
2. Select amount: Usually ¥50, ¥100, ¥200 denominations
3. Buy: Pay via Alipay or WeChat Pay (¥50 costs ¥45, saving 10%)
4. Use: At checkout, tell waiter "Have coupon" and show QR code on phone
5. Can combine: With other discounts if stated

Popular coupon types:

• Fixed amount off: ¥100 voucher for ¥90
• Set menu deals: 2-person meal for ¥158 (regularly ¥220)
• Time-based: 50% off lunch 2-5pm weekdays

⚠️ Warning: Can't be used with other promotions. Check with waiter which discounts apply.

Pre-ordering, Set Menus, Special Occasions

• Set menus: "套餐" section shows photographer's dream meals
• Birthdays: Add note: "Birthday celebration, English service needed"
• Dietary restrictions: Write: "No pork/all seafood/halal" (shows as Chinese to staff)
• Dietary translation: Use Emergency Cards tool for allergies

Reading Reviews: Finding Truth in Translation

Review Icons Decoded

Every review has function icons inside the insert—learn these:

• 图像 = Photo attached (most useful filter)
• 打分 = User's star rating
• 口味 = Taste/flavor rating
• 环境 = Environment/ambiance
• 服务 = Service rating
• 人均 = Per person price average

The "Photo Test" Rule

Only trust restaurants with 100+ photo reviews.

Why: Fake reviews rarely upload photos. 100+ photos = real customers, real food.

Filter reviews by "只看有图" (Only look at photos) → Browse food photos → Compare to Western expectations.

Specific Phrases to Look For (Even In Chinese)

When scanning review text regardless of language, look for these patterns:

Red flags (Negative):

• "贵" (Guì) = Expensive (without "worth it")
• "坑" (Kēng) = Scam/rip-off
• "等位久" (Wèiwèi jiǔ) = Long wait times
• "服务差" (Fúwù chà) = Poor service

Green flags (Positive):

• "食材新鲜" (Shícái xīnxiān) = Fresh ingredients
• "环境好" (Huánjìng hǎo) = Good environment
• "性价比高" (Xìngjiàbǐ gāo) = Great value
• "再来" (Zài lái) = Will come again

Real-time Queue Indicators

On restaurant main page: "当前等位" shows current wait time in real-time:

• 绿灯 = Walk-in OK
• Yellow 30min = Moderate queue
• Red 60-120min = Very busy, consider other options

Scam & Tourist Trap Avoidance

⚠️ 3-Star Territory

Rule: If rating 3.5 or below, just walk away. Only desperate tourists end up there. Locals use 4.2+ as minimum.

Watch Out For: "Fake Crowds"

Scam: Restaurant buys fake reviews from drone accounts.

Detection:

• Check review count: Should match crowd photos
• Review pattern: All posted in same date range? = suspicious
• Review text: Generic "good," "delicious," "nice" repeated? = fake
• Solution: Check "最新" (recent) tab - recent reviews most reliable

Tourist Pricing Scams

Red flags:

• Menu ONLY in English (doubles prices)
• No price next to items on Dianping menu
• Price mismatch (Dianping menu vs reality)

Prevention: Take screenshot of Dianping menu prices. Show when ordering if prices differ.

"Signature Dish" Upsell

Scam: Waiter recommends "house specialty" not on Dianping menu at 2-3x markup.

Defense: Dianping → Menu tab, show screenshot: "I'm ordering this".

Cooperating with Dianping Photos

Scam photo deception: Restaurant uses professional food photography vs actual servings.

Reality test: Sort reviews by "latest" → Compare photo sizes to actual plates you receive. Sizable difference? Politely ask: "This looks different from Dianping photos?" (Show phone).

Alipay & WeChat Pay Integration

Why Bind Payment?

• Instant checkout: 1-tap table booking + coupon purchase (vs separate app)
• Automatic discounts: Apply coupons without QR code scanning
• Bill splitting: Send payment requests to friends
• Receipts: Integrated with expense tracking

How to Bind Alipay (iPhone)

1. Dianping profile → "钱包" (Wallet) → "支付设置" (Payment settings)
2. Select Alipay → Authorize via Alipay app
3. Set payment priority: Choose "Ask every time" or "Auto-apply"

How to Bind WeChat Pay

WeChat easier since both owned by Meituan group. One-tap authorization.

Troubleshooting Payment Failures

"Card not supported":

• Add card via Alipay/WeChat first, then link to Dianping
• Some international cards require "UnionPay" upgrade

"Payment verification failed":

• Use Alipay to scan Dianping QR code at restaurant directly
• Or pay cash at restaurant with Dianping price screenshot

Offline & No-Data Solutions

Pre-download City Data

Before traveling:

• Search each city name (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou)
• Save top 5 restaurants per city in "...” list
• Screenshot restaurant pages (name + address + photos)

For offline access: Saved sections accessible without data.

Pocket WiFi & eSIM Strategy

Best combo: Hong Kong eSIM with mainland roaming (Airalo "China Discovery") or physical Chinese eSIM (China Mobile) - see China SIM Guide.

If no data: Use your saved screenshot list with offline Google Maps.

Address Copying Hack (For Taxi)

Restaurant page → "地址" (Address) → Hold to copy → Paste into DiDi app destination field.

Offline backup: Screenshot address → Show driver.

Building Your Dianping Strategy Before Landing

Pre-trip Setup List

1. ✅ Download app (iOS: China region or iOS translation)
2. ✅ Create account (test SMS verification before travel)
3. ✅ Save 3-5 restaurants in each city you're visiting
4. ✅ Download offline Chinese language pack in Google Translate
5. ✅ Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay (at least one)
6. ✅ Take screenshot of "Essential Category Icons" (save to phone)

Daily Routine While Traveling

Each morning:

1. Open Dianping → "附近" (Nearby) → Top 5-10 ranked within 1km
2. Read photo reviews quickly (2 minutes)
3. Option A: Book table for lunch/dinner if 4.5+ rating
4. Option B: Save as backup if walking past later

Key benefit: Even if you don't use advanced features, "Nearby top 10" is unbeatable trip advisor.

Common Scenarios & Solutions

"I Found Perfect Restaurant But No Reservation Option"

Solution:

1. Check "Telephone" icon → Call (use hotel staff/translation app)
2. Walk-in during off-peak (2-4pm)
3. Ask hotel concierge to call for you
4. Try "Ticket" section for digital queue setup

"Language Barrier at Restaurant Despite Dianping Booking"

Solution:

1. Show confirmation screen: "订座成功" (reservation successful)
2. Have name clearly spelled in phonetic English
3. Use translation app photo mode to translate menu items
4. Pre-download emergency food allergy cards

"Wrong Price Charged"

Solution:

1. Calmly show Dianping menu screenshot
2. Say: "Visibly different from Dianping price"
3. Ask manager to honor Dianping price (usually 100% success at 4.0+ places)
4. 1-star review + photo evidence if refusing (they will cave)

"Discount Not Applied"

Solution:

1. Dianping app → My Coupons → Show active coupon QR code before ordering
2. Say: "I have Dianping discount" while showing QR code
3. 90% of places automatically apply if shown early enough
4. If they claim "can't combine," show exactly what's written on coupon (translation camera)

Value Maximization: Pro Level Dianping

Social Proof Stacking

When booking popular restaurants, layer Dianping verification:

1. ✅ Dianping reservation + showing up
2. ✅ Reviews with 100+ photos = legitimacy
3. ✅ 4.5+ rating = crowd-verified quality
4. ✅ "coupon available" = financial incentive for quality (or reviews tank)
5. ✅ "Recently booked" timestamps = popularity timing

Combined rating system: Score methodology to find perfect place.

Timing Hack

Best reservation times:

• Lunch: 11:30 AM (beat office rush)
• Dinner: 5:30 PM (before post-work surge)
• Weekend: Morning bookings open 5 days in advance (fastest fill-up)

Last-minute cancellation:

• Check at 11:45 AM for noon cancellations
• Check 5:45 PM for dinner spots
• Dianping pings no-show cancels instantly

Return Filtering System

Advanced mode:

• 5 saved restaurants per city → Pick highest "saved" count
• 3 "bookmark" restaurants in each category (hot pot, noodles, dumplings)
• 1 "emergency" backup → Near hotel, open 24/7, proven reliable

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Final Word: Dianping = Food Travel Insurance

Think of Dianping as more than an app—it's travel insurance for great meals. It fixes the #1 travel complaint: overpaying for mediocre food in unfamiliar places.

Your setup time: 10 minutes account creation, 5 minutes daily use. Your savings: 30-50% off meals, 2+ hours saved searching, zero tourist trap exposure.

Whether you need one perfect dinner reservation or just want to find, within 500 meters, the best bowl of noodles—the app that rules Chinese dining has you covered when you know these English hacks, visual shortcuts, and inside payment tricks.

Install it before you land. Screenshot your top 3 restaurant matches. And watch authentic Chinese food discovery unfold before your hungry eyes.