How to Rent Meituan Shared Bikes

Imagine exploring the bustling streets of Shanghai or Beijing, but instead of being stuck in traffic or navigating crowded subways, you’re gliding through bike lanes on a shared bicycle, stopping whenever you spot an interesting café or historic site. Or picture yourself enjoying a delicious meal at a top-rated restaurant for half the price, thanks to a group deal you found on Meituan. These scenarios aren’t just dreams—they’re the reality for millions of locals and savvy foreign visitors who have mastered Meituan’s powerful features.

As China’s leading local services platform, Meituan (美团) offers much more than just food delivery. Its ecosystem includes shared bikes, group buying deals, hotel bookings, movie tickets, and much more. For foreign visitors, understanding how to use these features can transform your travel experience, saving you time, money, and frustration.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you exactly how to rent shared bikes and take advantage of Meituan’s incredible group deals. By the end, you’ll be navigating China like a local, enjoying the convenience and savings that Meituan offers to its 690 million users.

Understanding Meituan: More Than Just Food Delivery

Before diving into the specifics of shared bikes and group deals, let’s take a moment to understand why Meituan is such an essential tool for anyone visiting China.

The Meituan Ecosystem

Meituan started as a group buying platform in 2010 but has since evolved into a comprehensive local services ecosystem. Today, it’s often referred to as “China’s Everything App” because it offers:

Food Delivery: The core service that made Meituan famous
Shared Bikes: Convenient transportation for short distances
Group Buying Deals: Discounts on restaurants, activities, and services
Hotel & Travel Bookings: Competitive rates on accommodations
Movie Tickets: Easy booking for cinemas across China
Grocery Delivery: Fresh produce and daily essentials delivered to your door

Why Meituan Matters for Foreign Visitors

For international travelers, Meituan offers several key advantages:

Convenience: Access multiple services through a single app
Cost Savings: Group deals and discounts can save you 30-50% on many services
Local Experience: Using Meituan helps you engage with China like a local
English Support: While limited, Meituan does offer some English customer service

Meituan special group buying deals interface

Meituan’s special group buying deals offer significant discounts on local services

Part 1: Renting Shared Bikes on Meituan

Shared bikes (共享单车) have revolutionized urban transportation in China, and Meituan’s yellow bikes are among the most popular. Here’s everything you need to know to start riding.

Why Choose Meituan Bikes?

Meituan bikes (formerly Mobike) offer several advantages:

Widely Available: Found in over 200 cities across China
Easy to Use: Simple QR code scanning to unlock
Affordable: Just ¥1.5 for 30 minutes, ¥3 for an hour
Comfortable Design: Adjustable seats and durable construction
Integration with Meituan: Seamless experience if you already use other Meituan services

Step-by-Step Guide to Renting a Meituan Bike

1. Download the Meituan App

iOS: Search for “美团” in the App Store
Android: Download from the Google Play Store or Baidu App Store

2. Create an Account

Open the app and tap “注册 / 登录” (Register/Login)
Select “手机号注册” (Phone Number Registration)
Choose your country code from the dropdown menu
Enter your international phone number
Verify with the SMS code sent to your phone

3. Complete Real-Name Verification

To use Meituan bikes, you’ll need to complete real-name verification:

Go to the “我的” (Me) tab
Select “实名认证” (Real-Name Verification)
Choose “外国护照” (Foreign Passport)
Upload a photo of your passport information page
Enter your personal details (name, date of birth, etc.)
Submit and wait for verification (usually within 1-3 business days)

4. Add a Payment Method

Go to “我的” (Me) > “钱包” (Wallet)
Select “银行卡” (Bank Cards)
Tap “添加银行卡” (Add Bank Card)
Choose “国际卡” (International Card)
Enter your card details (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or Discover)
Verify your card (some issuers require additional verification)

5. Find and Unlock a Bike

Open the Meituan app and tap the “骑车” (Bike) icon
The app will show available bikes near you on the map
Walk to the nearest bike
Tap “扫码用车” (Scan to Use)
Scan the QR code on the bike (usually on the back of the seat or handlebars)
Wait for the lock to click open (you’ll hear a “ding” sound)

6. Start Riding

Adjust the seat height if needed (most bikes have a quick-release lever)
Some cities require helmets—check local regulations
Always follow traffic rules and use bike lanes when available

7. Return the Bike

Find a designated parking area (look for bike symbols on the map or ground markings)
Park the bike neatly within the designated zone
Close the lock manually or tap “还车” (Return Bike) in the app
Wait for confirmation that the bike has been successfully returned

Rows of Meituan shared bikes ready for use

Meituan’s yellow shared bikes are a common sight on China’s city streets

Important Rules and Tips

Parking Restrictions: Bikes must be parked in designated areas (P 点). Illegal parking may result in fines (usually ¥20-50).
Operating Zones: Don’t ride outside the designated operating zone—you’ll be charged extra to return the bike.
Helmet Requirements: Some cities (like Shenzhen) require helmets. Check local regulations before riding.
Riding Cards: For frequent users, consider buying a daily, weekly, or monthly riding card for unlimited rides.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Bike Won’t Unlock: Try scanning again or enter the bike number manually. If that fails, report the bike as faulty.
Payment Failed: Check your card details and ensure you have sufficient funds. Contact your bank if the issue persists.
Can’t Find Parking: Use the app’s “P 点查询” (Find Parking) feature to locate the nearest designated area.

Part 2: Mastering Meituan Group Deals

Meituan’s group buying deals (团购) are one of the best ways to save money on dining, activities, and services in China. With discounts up to 50% or more, they’re incredibly popular with locals—and now you can use them too.

What Are Meituan Group Deals?

Group buying (团购) allows users to get discounts by purchasing vouchers for restaurants, shops, and services. The concept is simple: the more people who buy a deal, the lower the price. However, Meituan has evolved this model to offer “instant group deals” where you don’t need to wait for others to join—you can get the discounted price immediately.

Types of Group Deals Available

Meituan offers group deals for almost everything:

Restaurants: Discounted meals at thousands of restaurants
Cafés & Tea Houses: Special offers on coffee, tea, and snacks
Beauty & Wellness: Spa treatments, massages, and salon services
Entertainment: Movie tickets, KTV, and escape rooms
Travel: Hotel stays, attractions, and tours
Fitness: Gym memberships and fitness classes

How to Find the Best Group Deals

1. Access the Group Buying Section

Open the Meituan app
Tap the “团购” (Group Buying) icon at the bottom of the screen
Alternatively, search for “特价团” (Special Group Deals) in the search bar

2. Search for Deals

Use the search bar to find specific restaurants or services
Browse categories like “美食” (Food), “休闲娱乐” (Entertainment), or “酒店旅游” (Hotels & Travel)
Filter by location, rating, price, or distance

3. Understand Deal Details

Before purchasing, carefully read the deal details:

Validity Period: How long the voucher is valid for
Usage Restrictions: Any specific days or times the deal can be used
Included Items: Exactly what the voucher covers
Exclusions: Items or services not included in the deal
Refund Policy: Whether the voucher is refundable if unused

4. Purchase the Deal

Tap on the deal you want to buy
Select the quantity (usually 1 per person)
Tap “立即购买” (Buy Now)
Choose your payment method
Confirm the purchase

5. Use the Voucher

Online Redemption: Some deals can be used directly in the app
In-Store Redemption: Show the voucher QR code to the merchant when you arrive
Booking Required: Some deals require advance booking

Meituan group buying deals offer significant discounts on local services

Meituan’s group buying platform connects users with discounted local services

Insider Tips for Maximizing Savings

1. Take Advantage of “特价团” (Special Group Deals)

Meituan’s “特价团” section offers some of the best discounts:

Flash Sales: Limited-time offers with deep discounts
Daily Deals: New offers updated every day
Brand Collaborations: Exclusive deals with top brands

2. Use the “神抢手” (Shen Qiang Shou) Live Streams

Meituan’s live streaming feature offers even bigger discounts:

Real-Time Deals: Hosts showcase deals with limited-time discounts
Interactive Experience: Ask questions about products or services
Exclusive Offers: Deals only available during the live stream

3. Participate in “1 号囤券节” (1st of Month Coupon Festival)

On the 1st of every month, Meituan hosts a special coupon event:

0.01 Yuan Coupons: Purchase valuable coupons for just ¥0.01
Limited Quantity: Coupons are available on a first-come, first-served basis
Multiple Categories: Deals on food, travel, entertainment, and more

4. Stack Discounts

Maximize your savings by combining multiple discounts:

Group Deal + Coupon: Use Meituan coupons on top of group deal prices
Member Discounts: Meituan members get additional discounts on select deals
Cashback Offers: Some payment methods offer cashback on Meituan purchases

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring Expiration Dates: Vouchers are usually valid for 1-3 months—don’t let them expire!
Missing Usage Restrictions: Some deals are only valid on certain days or for specific items
Not Comparing Prices: Sometimes regular prices with coupons are better than group deals
Forgetting to Book: Many popular restaurants require reservations even with a voucher

Part 3: Advanced Meituan Hacks for Foreigners

Now that you know the basics of using Meituan’s shared bikes and group deals, let’s explore some advanced tips to help you get even more out of the app.

Language Navigation Tips

While Meituan doesn’t have a full English version, these tips can help you navigate the app:

Use Google Translate: Take screenshots of the app and use the camera translation feature
Learn Key Phrases: Memorize important terms like “团购” (group buy), “骑车” (bike), and “优惠” (discount)
Screenshot Important Pages: Save images of frequently used screens for quick reference
Contact English Support: Meituan offers limited English customer service for international users

Payment Optimization

Alipay Integration: Link your Alipay account for seamless payments
WeChat Pay: If you prefer WeChat, you can also link it to Meituan
International Cards: While accepted, international cards may have higher fees—consider getting a local card if staying long-term
Prepaid Cards: Some convenience stores sell Meituan prepaid cards that can be used for purchases

Safety Considerations

Bike Safety: Always wear a helmet if required, check the bike’s condition before riding, and follow traffic rules
Payment Security: Use secure Wi-Fi when making payments and enable two-factor authentication
Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing personal information with merchants
Emergency Contacts: Save local emergency numbers in case of accidents or issues

Cultural Insights

Tipping: Unlike in Western countries, tipping is not expected for bike rentals or most services in China
Punctuality: When using vouchers for restaurants or services, arrive on time—Chinese businesses value punctuality
Flexibility: Some deals may have last-minute changes, so be prepared to adapt
Haggling: While not common on Meituan, you may be able to negotiate better deals for some services in person

Foreigners enjoying China's shared bicycle system

Foreign visitors are increasingly using shared bikes to explore China’s cities

Part 4: Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best preparation, you may encounter issues when using Meituan. Here’s how to resolve some common problems.

Account Issues

Registration Problems: If you can’t receive the verification code, try using a different phone number or contact Meituan support
Verification Delays: If your real-name verification is taking longer than expected, check your spam folder for updates or contact support
Account Locked: Multiple failed login attempts may lock your account—use the “forgot password” feature or contact support

Payment Problems

Transaction Failed: Check your card balance and ensure international transactions are enabled
Double Charged: Keep receipts and contact Meituan support immediately if you’re charged twice
Refund Issues: Most unused vouchers can be refunded—go to “我的订单” (My Orders) and select “申请退款” (Apply for Refund)

Bike Rental Issues

Bike Not Working: Report faulty bikes through the app and choose another bike
Parking Fines: If you receive a parking fine, you can appeal through the app if you believe it was unjust
Lost Items: Use the “寻物启事” (Lost and Found) feature in the app to report lost items on bikes

Group Deal Issues

Merchant Refusal: If a merchant refuses to honor a voucher, contact Meituan support immediately
Deal Changes: If a deal is significantly different from what was advertised, you may be entitled to a refund
Booking Problems: For deals requiring booking, call the merchant directly if you have issues

Contacting Meituan Support

In-App Support: Go to “我的” (Me) > “客服中心” (Customer Service)
Phone Support: Call 1010-9777 (Chinese language only)
Email Support: For English support, send an email to international@meituan.com
Social Media: Message Meituan’s official social media accounts for assistance

Conclusion: Embrace the Meituan Lifestyle

Mastering Meituan’s shared bikes and group deals is more than just a practical skill—it’s a gateway to experiencing China like a local. By renting shared bikes, you’ll enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace, discovering hidden gems that might otherwise go unnoticed. And with Meituan’s incredible group deals, you’ll save money while experiencing the best that China’s restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues have to offer.

Remember, learning to use Meituan is a process. Don’t be discouraged if you encounter difficulties at first—with practice, you’ll be navigating the app like a pro. And as you become more comfortable, you’ll discover even more ways to integrate Meituan into your daily life in China.

So download the app, create your account, and start exploring. Whether you’re cruising through Beijing’s hutongs on a shared bike or enjoying a gourmet meal at a fraction of the price, Meituan is your key to unlocking the best of China.

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