Important information!!
- Almost all restaurants in major cities in China are registered in this app with ranking systems. You can review restaurants near you with ratings and you can choose the best restaurants you want to try. Ratings, average meal budget and the menus are available in the app.
- Almost all restaurants in Dazhong Dianping offer in-store discount coupons, usually 5~10% discount, which is a huge benefit for tourists.
- You can also find the discounted set menus with approx 50 percent discounts. But I do not recommend the discounted set menu. Set menu may include some dishes I do not want. And it may serve a lot more than what we could eat.
- There are only FEW tourists aware of this application and get discounts using in-store coupons in Dazhong Dianping
- If you at a loss what to do, friendly Chinese staffs in restaurants will gladly help you pay discounted price.
0. How to download Dazhong Dianping (大众点评)
1. Navigating the App: Locating Store-Specific Deals
Because Dazhong Dianping operates exclusively in Chinese characters, international tourists often feel intimidated by the dense visual interface. However, the app relies on highly consistent layout structures and iconography.
Once you open the application and tap on a specific restaurant's profile page, scroll directly past the introductory photos and address block until you reach the dedicated promotions section, typically labeled "优惠" (Promotions) or "团购" (Group Buying). Here, you will encounter two primary coupon variants:
Variant A: Cash Value Vouchers (代金券 - Dàijīnquàn)
These are cash-equivalent vouchers sold at a discount. For instance, a merchant might list a voucher option labeled "85折" or explicitly display "85代100"—which means you pay exactly 85 RMB through your linked digital wallet to purchase a digital voucher worth 100 RMB in physical food credit at checkout. These are ideal if you prefer ordering custom items directly from the standard à la carte menu.
Variant B: Group Set Menus (套餐 - Tàocān)
Set menus are curated multi-course meal bundles designed for specific group sizes (e.g., "双人套餐" for couples, or "4人套餐" for larger tables). These packages offer the steepest discounts because the restaurant bundles their signature dishes together at a highly competitive flat rate, frequently slicing the total cost in half.
2. Step-by-Step Coupon Activation and Checkout
Visualizing the coupon activation sequence makes navigating the Chinese interface straightforward. Follow this precise operational blueprint:
- Select the Deal: Once you identify the specific cash voucher or set menu package that aligns with your meal preferences, tap the prominent orange button situated on the right side of the deal block. This button is universally labeled "抢" (Grab), "团" (Group Buy), or "To Buy" (购买).
- Review the Fine Print: Before clicking confirm, glance at the usage conditions directly below the title. Look for key parameters such as "周一至周日适用" (Valid Monday through Sunday) to ensure the coupon is active during your visit, and verify if it explicitly states "免预约" (No reservation required) so you can redeem it instantly.
- Execute the Mobile Payment: Tap the final orange transaction bar at the bottom of the screen. The app will seamlessly bridge into your linked Alipay (支付宝) or WeChat Pay (微信支付) international wallet. Complete your biometric facial scan or enter your security PIN to finalize the purchase.
- Locate Your Digital Voucher: Once payment clears, the coupon is saved as a unique QR Code and 12-digit numeric serial code inside your personal profile tab under "Unused Vouchers or "券包" (Coupon Wallet).
3. How to Redeem the Coupon at the Restaurant
Redeeming your purchased voucher is completely frictionless and eliminates any potential linguistic barrier with the restaurant staff.
When your meal concludes and you are ready to settle the final bill, capture the attention of a waiter or walk straight up to the front cashier register. Show them your smartphone screen and say the universal keyword: "Mai dan" (买单 - Check, please) while pointing to the Dazhong Dianping app.
[ Call Waiter / Walk to Cashier ] ──► Say "Mǎidān" (买单) ──► Flash Voucher QR Code
The cashier will pull out a digital laser scanning gun and zap the QR code displayed on your device. The restaurant's point-of-sale (POS) terminal instantly verifies the voucher code, records the discount, and deducts the balance automatically.
4. Summary Checklist for Maximum Savings
To optimize your dining strategy using Dazhong Dianping, keep this structural reference guide handy:
| Savings Tool Type | Core App Term | Ideal Use Case | Strategic Advantage |
| Cash Voucher | 代金券 | Flexible à la carte ordering. | Instantly saves 10%–20% on the total bill while retaining full menu freedom. |
| Set Menu | 套餐 | First-time visitors unsure of what to order. | Curates the restaurant's top signature dishes at up to 50% off. |
| Flash Deals | 秒杀 | Spontaneous daytime dining. | Time-limited deep discounts for immediate off-peak redemption. |
By installing Dazhong Dianping alongside your verified mobile payment wallets, you break down the economic barriers that cause average tourists to overpay. Leveraging this digital voucher network ensures you experience mainland China’s rich culinary world with total financial efficiency and convenience.
