Smart Shopping Guide: How to Find the Best Discounts and Deals in China

By xiaoyue\June 12 2025

Traveling in China doesn’t have to break the bank. As someone who’s spent years exploring every corner of this vast country, I’ve discovered that the key to affordable travel lies in tapping into the same resources that locals use daily.

Here’s your insider guide to finding the best deals and discounts during your Chinese adventure.

The Dynamic Duo: Meituan and Dianping

China’s two largest lifestyle service platforms, Meituan and Dianping, are actually owned by the same parent company

The secret weapon for budget-conscious travelers in China isn’t a guidebook—it’s your smartphone.

Two apps dominate the Chinese discount landscape: Meituan and Dianping. Think of them as a hybrid of DoorDash, Yelp, and Groupon all rolled into one powerful platform.

Here’s what makes these apps indispensable: they’re owned by the same company, so you’ll find nearly identical merchant information and deals across both platforms. The key difference?

Dianping (literally meaning “review after consumption”) focuses heavily on authentic user reviews and ratings, making it your go-to for quality assurance.

Getting Started

Download and Setup:

Search for “Dianping” and “Meituan” on Google Play or the Apple App Store
Both apps support English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean
International phone numbers are accepted for registration
International credit cards can be linked for payments

Language Tip: The Dian ping app is available in English, but unfortunately, the Meituan app is currently only available in Chinese, but you can use the WeChat English version by accessing the Meituan Mini Program in WeChat

What You Can Find and Save On

DianPing

Meituan-mini Program

On Meituan or Dianping, you’ll discover deals for virtually every aspect of daily life:

Dining and Food

Restaurants(from street food to fine dining)
Cafes and bubble tea shops
Food deliverywith exclusive app discounts
Buffets and hot pot restaurants

Entertainment and Leisure

Movie theaterswith discounted tickets
KTV (karaoke)rooms with package deals
Spas and massage centers
Amusement parks and attractions
Fitness centers and gyms

Accommodation and Travel

Hotels and hostelswith special rates
Tourist attractionswith entrance fee discounts
Local tours and experiences

Daily Services

Hair salons and beauty services
Medical services and clinics
Shopping malls and retail stores
Car services and transportation

How to Use These Apps Effectively

Finding What You Need

Location-based search: Grant location access to see nearby deals and calculate distances
Category browsing: Use the clear category system to find exactly what you’re looking for
Search function: Type in specific restaurants, attractions, or services

Understanding the Information
When you click on any business, you’ll see comprehensive details:

Business name and exact address
Average cost per person(非常有用 for budget planning!)
Distance from your current location
Menu items and service descriptions
Special discount packages and combo deals
Payment discounts(often additional savings when you pay through the app)
User reviews and recommendationswith photos
Operating hours and contact information
Booking availabilityfor popular restaurants

Decoding the Deal Types

Business Details

Set Meal Packages

Discount Meal

Understanding the various discount formats will help you maximize your savings:

Set Meal Packages

Single Set Meals: Perfect for solo travelers, often 30-50% off regular prices
Couple Set Meals: Ideal for pairs, typically include appetizer, main courses, and drinks
Group Packages: Great for families or friend groups, usually the best value per person

Voucher Systems

Cash Vouchers: Common format like “Pay ¥80, get ¥100 worth of food”
Percentage Discounts: Direct percentage off your total bill
First-Time User Bonuses: Special deals for new app users

Timing-Based Discounts

Happy Hour Deals: Restaurants often offer lunch specials or off-peak discounts
Festival Promotions: Major holidays like Chinese New Year, National Day, and Singles’ Day (11/11) bring significant savings
New餐厅 Launches: Newly opened establishments frequently offer aggressive promotional pricing

Pro Tips for Maximum Savings

For Restaurants

Check Multiple Locations: The same restaurant chain might offer different deals at different branches
Read the Fine Print: Some deals exclude certain menu items or have minimum spending requirements
Combine Offers: Use app coupons alongside restaurant-specific promotions when possible
Peak vs. Off-Peak: Many restaurants offer better deals during non-peak hours

For Attractions

Advance Booking: Tourist sites often provide early-bird discounts for advance bookings
Combo Tickets: Look for packages that include multiple attractions or transportation
Seasonal Variations: Off-season travel can yield significantly better deals.

Payment Methods

Mobile Payments: Alipay and WeChat Pay sometimes offer additional cashback
Credit Cards: Some international cards provide extra points for purchases in China
App-Specific Promotions: Both Meituan and Dianping regularly run user-specific campaigns.

Street Food and Local Eateries

While many upscale restaurants embrace digital discounts, don’t overlook traditional street food and hole-in-the-wall eateries. These local gems typically offer:

Inherently affordable pricing(often under ¥20-30 per meal)
Transparent pricingwith most items clearly marked
Authentic local flavorsthat apps can’t replicate

Important Note:

If prices aren’t displayed, always ask before ordering. A simple “多少钱?” (duōshao qián – “how much?”) will suffice.

Essential Chinese Phrases for Deal Hunting

有优惠吗？(Yǒu yōuhuì ma?) – “Are there any discounts?”
可以用这个券吗？(Kěyǐ yòng zhège quàn ma?) – “Can I use this voucher?”
包括什么？(Bāokuò shénme?) – “What’s included?”

Final Thoughts

The key to unlocking China’s best deals lies in embracing the local digital ecosystem. While it might seem overwhelming at first, these apps will become your most valuable travel companions. Remember, every local person uses these platforms daily—you’re simply tapping into the same networks that make life affordable and convenient for China’s 1.4 billion residents.

Start downloading these apps before your trip, familiarize yourself with the interface, and don’t be afraid to experiment. The money you’ll save on your first few meals will more than justify the learning curve.

Happy travels and happy savings!