If you’re living in or traveling around Shanghai (or anywhere in China!), Dianping is your secret weapon to unlock amazing deals on everything—food, beauty, entertainment, and more. It’s like Yelp, Groupon, and Instagram had a baby, and that baby LOVES discounts.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through how to use Dianping, how to speak Mandarin when using it, and how to save money while practicing your Chinese. 🧋🥟🎬💅

🛠 What is Dianping?

Dianping (大众点评) is China’s most popular review and lifestyle deal app. Whether you're looking for a café, restaurant, nail salon, massage spa, or even pet grooming, Dianping shows:

⭐ Real reviews
📍 Nearby locations
💰 Amazing discounts
🎁 Freebies if you check-in or leave a review

BUT: Some foreigners have trouble downloading the app from the Apple or Google store. Don’t worry!

👉 Here’s how to get it:

Go to your App Store settings
Change your region to Mainland China
Log in with a Chinese phone number
Search for: 大众点评 (Dàzhòng diǎnpíng)

Once it’s downloaded—you’re ready to unlock local deals like a pro.

💰 How Do the Deals Work?

Let’s say you’re going for hotpot or getting your nails done. On Dianping, you’ll often see:

Combo deals (套餐)
Discounted cash vouchers (代金券)
Special coupons (优惠券)
Extra desserts or drinks if you check-in (打卡) or like the place ❤️
Free gift if you write a review ✍️ (also a great way to practice your Mandarin, wink wink 😏)

You buy the deal through the app and then show the code or QR code to the staff. Simple!

🗣 Useful Mandarin Sentences to Use Dianping Deals at a Venue

Now let’s say you bought a deal and walk into the restaurant. What do you say?

⭐ Show the staff your coupon and say:

你好，我买了一张点评券。
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ mǎi le yì zhāng diǎnpíng quàn.
Hi, I bought a Dianping voucher.
周末可以用这个券吗？
Zhōumò kěyǐ yòng zhège quàn ma?
Can I use this coupon on weekends?
今天可以用这个券吗？
Jīntiān kěyǐ yòng zhège quàn ma?
Can I use this coupon today?
代金券可以买几张？
Dàijīnquàn kěyǐ mǎi jǐ zhāng?
How many vouchers can I buy?
需要预定吗？
Xūyào yùdìng ma?
Do I need to make a reservation?
我要预订位子，三个人，星期三晚上七点。
Wǒ yào yùdìng wèizi, sān gè rén, xīngqīsān wǎnshàng qī diǎn.
I’d like to book a table for 3 on Wednesday at 7 PM.
需要等位吗？
Xūyào děngwèi ma?
Do we need to wait for a table?
需要取号吗？
Xūyào qǔ hào ma?
Do I need to get a waiting number?
需要等多长时间？
Xūyào děng duō cháng shíjiān?
How long is the wait?
我要预约星期三下午两点。
Wǒ yào yùyuē xīngqīsān xiàwǔ liǎng diǎn.
I want to make an appointment for Wednesday at 2 PM.

📸 Bonus Tip: Be a “Foodie Influencer” & Get Perks

Check in on Dianping when you arrive (打卡), post a pic, or leave a short review (写点评)—you might get:

🍰 Free dessert
🧋 Free drink
🎁 A small gift

Just another reason to practice your Mandarin and blend in like a local! 😎

🌟 Final Words from NanNan

Learning to use Dianping is more than saving money—it’s a window into local Chinese life. You learn how locals explore, save, and enjoy life. And by speaking even a little Mandarin, you’ll gain respect, better service, and deeper cultural connections.

So next time you're hungry or looking for a massage, open Dianping, speak up with confidence, and enjoy China like a pro! 🙌

Want to learn more useful Mandarin phrases for everyday life in China?
🎓 Book a class or real-life Mandarin adventure with me at nannanlee.com

Stay Tuned, I will talk about Chinese Structures in the next bolgs..

💡 How to Use Dianping (大众点评) & Speak Mandarin to Get the Best Deals in Shanghai and China!