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How to Get Group-Buy Discounts at Restaurants with Dianping

Last updated: 2026-04-30

One of the best-kept secrets for eating cheaply in China is Dianping's 团购 (tuángòu, group-buy) system. Restaurants sell discounted meal packages through the app — you pay upfront at a reduced price, then redeem the voucher when you arrive. Discounts of 20–50% are common, and the system works at everything from local noodle shops to upscale hotpot restaurants.

How Group-Buy Works

A group-buy deal is a pre-paid meal package. For example, a hotpot restaurant might sell a "2-person set" normally worth ¥200 for ¥140 through Dianping. You buy the voucher in the app, show the QR code at the restaurant, and the staff deducts it from your bill.

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Group-buy vouchers are usually valid for 30–90 days. Check the expiry date before purchasing. Most vouchers can be refunded if unused before the expiry date.

Finding and Buying a Deal

  1. 1. Open a restaurant listing in Dianping

    Find a restaurant you want to visit using the search or browse features. Open its full listing page.

  2. 2. Look for the 团购 (group-buy) section

    Scroll down on the restaurant page. If the restaurant offers group-buy deals, you'll see a section labeled 团购 with deal packages listed. Each shows the deal name, original price, discounted price, and what's included.

  3. 3. Tap a deal to see details

    Tap any deal to see the full contents: which dishes are included, how many people it serves, any restrictions (e.g. not valid on weekends), and the expiry period. Read this carefully before buying.

  4. 4. Purchase the voucher

    Tap 立即购买 (buy now) or 购买 (purchase). Pay using Alipay or WeChat Pay. The voucher appears in your Dianping account under 我的订单 (my orders).

  5. 5. Redeem at the restaurant

    When you arrive, tell the staff you have a Dianping group-buy voucher (show them the app). They'll scan the QR code in your order. The voucher covers the included items — you pay separately for anything extra you order.

Types of Deals Available

  • 套餐 (tàocān, set meal): A fixed combination of dishes for a set number of people. The most common type — good value if the included dishes match what you want.
  • 代金券 (dàijīnquàn, cash voucher): A discount voucher worth a fixed amount. For example, pay ¥80 to get a ¥100 credit. More flexible than a set meal.
  • 单品 (dānpǐn, single item): A discounted price on one specific dish. Useful if you know exactly what you want.
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Set meals (套餐) often include drinks or desserts that you might not want. Check what's included before buying — a deal that includes items you won't use isn't actually a deal.

Practical Tips

  • Check the deal contents carefully: Some set meals include dishes that require advance notice (e.g. whole fish, special preparations). The listing usually notes this.
  • Weekend restrictions: Many deals are not valid on Friday evenings, Saturdays, or Sundays. Check the 使用须知 (usage notes) section.
  • Minimum spend: Some cash vouchers require a minimum spend before they apply. Read the fine print.
  • Refunds: If you can't use the voucher before it expires, you can usually get a refund through the app. Go to 我的订单 → select the order → tap 申请退款 (request refund).
  • Payment: You need
    Alipay
    Alipay
    payment · intermediate
    View Guide →     or WeChat Pay linked to buy vouchers. Set this up before you start browsing deals.