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You’ve landed in China. You’re hungry. You’ve heard Dianping (大众点评) is the go-to app for finding the best local eats, spas, salons, and hidden gems — but everything’s in Chinese.
Good news: Dianping has a full English interface — and switching is easier than ordering dumplings.
Whether you’re hunting for Sichuan hotpot in Chengdu, a foot massage in Shanghai, or a 5-star-rated barber in Beijing, this guide will show you how to switch Dianping to English — in under 30 seconds.
📲 Step 1: Download Dianping
Before you switch languages, make sure you have the app:
- 📱 iOS: Download Dianping from App Store
- 📱 Android: Download Dianping from Google Play
💡 Tip: Use a Chinese phone number to register — or link via WeChat if you already have an account.
🌍 Step 2: Switch Dianping to English (2 Ways)
➤ Method 1: In-App Settings (Recommended)





- Open Dianping → Tap “Me” (bottom right corner)
- Tap the gear icon (Settings)
- Scroll down → Tap “Language”
- Select “English”
- App will restart automatically — now everything is in English!
✅ Works for: UI, search, reviews, booking, maps, and customer service.
➤ Method 2: Auto-Detect via Device Language
Dianping can auto-switch based on your phone’s system language.
- Go to your phone’s Settings > Language & Region
- Set language to English (United States/UK/AU/etc.)
- Reopen Dianping — it should switch automatically.
⚠️ Not 100% reliable — we recommend Method 1 for guaranteed results.
🔍 What You Can Do in English on Dianping
Once switched, you can:
- 🔎 Search restaurants by name or cuisine (“hotpot,” “ramen,” “vegetarian”)
- ⭐ Read star ratings & photo reviews (many include English captions!)
- 📍 See location on map (powered by Amap — also works in English)
- 📞 Call or navigate to the place with one tap
- 🛎️ Book tables, spa appointments, or tickets directly in-app
- 💬 Filter reviews — look for “Foreigner Friendly” tags or English comments
🍜 Pro Tip: Search “English menu” or “foreigner friendly” in the search bar — many users tag these!
🧭 Bonus: Use Dianping Like a Local (Even in English)
- Sort by “Highest Rated” or “Most Popular” — avoids tourist traps.
- Check “Environment” and “Service” scores — 4.5+ stars = safe bet.
- Look for red “Hot” (火) or “New” (新) tags — trending spots!
- Use “Near Me” filter — perfect when you’re lost and hungry.
- Save favorites — tap the heart icon to bookmark for later.
❓ FAQ: Common Questions About Dianping in English
❓ Is the entire app really in English?
✅ Yes — menus, buttons, categories, booking flows, and even map labels switch to English. Some user-generated reviews remain in Chinese, but photos and star ratings still help you decide.
❓ Can I pay in English?
✅ Yes — Dianping integrates with WeChat Pay and Alipay. Payment screens will display in English if your wallet app is set to English.
❓ What if I can’t find the Language setting?
➡️ Make sure you’re on the latest version of Dianping. Update via App Store or Google Play.
🍽️ Ready to Eat Like a Local?
Switch Dianping to English, search “best near me,” and let China’s top-rated restaurants come to you — no Mandarin required.
💬 Need Help?
Stuck switching languages? Can’t find that hotpot place? Drop a comment below or email us at hello@gotochina.guide — we answer every message!