Checking Dianping before meals is a habit for mainlanders, just like Hong Kong people check OpenRice — but Dianping has far more reviews, greater authenticity, and more features, including queue ticketing and group-buy deals.
What is Dianping used for?
- Finding restaurants: Search "Shenzhen hotpot" or nearby restaurants, and check ratings, reviews, and average cost per person
- Avoiding bad picks: Read low-rated reviews and real photos, so you're not just relying on promoted posts
- Queue ticketing: Popular restaurants let you grab a queue number online, so you don't have to wait around on-site
- Group-buy deals: Integrated with Meituan, so restaurant vouchers are available here too
How Hong Kong users can get started
- Download the Dianping app, or use the WeChat mini-program
- Register with your phone number (Hong Kong numbers work, mainland numbers are smoother)
- Set your location to Shenzhen, and the homepage will automatically recommend nearby restaurants
- Link WeChat Pay or Alipay for payments, and use vouchers directly when buying group deals
How to read reviews accurately?
- Prioritise "Latest": Restaurant quality changes, so good reviews from months ago may not be reliable
- Read low-rated reviews: These are the most honest — watch out for hygiene or service issues
- Look at photos: User-uploaded real shots are most trustworthy; business photos have filters
- Note the "average cost": Reviews show the per-person spend, which helps with budget planning
Queue ticketing guide
- On the restaurant page, tap "Take a queue number" or "Book a table"
- Choose party size and arrival time — once you get a number, it will show how many tables are ahead of you
- Stay near the restaurant and watch for your number; if you miss it, you may have to queue again
Tips for Hong Kong users
- Dianping and Meituan share reviews, so after reading them you can buy group deals directly on Meituan
- Some restaurants offer "Dianping perks": writing a review can earn you snacks or discounts (quick to redeem)
- Popular restaurants have long queues on weekends, so grab a number before you head out
- Searching in simplified Chinese gives the best results (e.g. type "深圳 椰子鸡")
Found a restaurant and want to book or buy tickets? Use Meituan for group deals and save money on your cross-border trips.
Planning your trip? Useful links
📶Shenzhen eSIM / Data SIMOnline the moment you arrive — no SIM swap, no queueSee plans →🧳KKday Shenzhen activitiesPark tickets, day tours and spa deals, e-tickets ready to useOpen KKday →Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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