Dianping's 2026 'Must-Visit List' unveils China's evolving leisure trends

Dianping has officially released its 2026 “Must-Visit List" recently curating 3,764 top-tier destinations across 230 cities nationwide. Leading Guangdong Province in selections, Shenzhen boasts 71 recommended venues, highlighting the city’s dynamic role in shaping modern leisure culture.

This year, the keywords defining China’s premier leisure experiences are “Fun,” “Hot” and “In.” The curated list spans diverse categories including nightlife, leisure sports, trendy districts, immersive entertainment, and artisan-made experiences.

Amid broader economic trends — with services retail sales rising 5.4% year-on-year from January to May (National Bureau of Statistics) — experience-led consumption is dominating the market. Dianping data reveals that searches for novel experiential activities jumped 28% in 2025. In Shenzhen specifically, interest in “climbing” surged 164%, while searches for “trendy sports hubs” skyrocketed 166%.

Reflecting this shift, PARTYDAY, a next-generation urban entertainment complex with three locations across China, has secured a spot on the list. Its Shenzhen debut features a mix of go-karting, archery, VR, and an indoor ice rink, proving wildly popular among the city’s youth.

“Authentic user feedback directly shapes our evolution,” said Xu Yaqi, brand manager of PARTYDAY Shenzhen. “We refine our offerings based on community suggestions, creating a cycle where user ideas inspire new fun, attracting fresh crowds.”

Also making its first appearance on the list is Upper Rock Climbing Gym. “Demand for recreational experiences coupled with social interaction is surging among younger consumers,” noted co-founder Zheng Jiongbin. “Climbing is rapidly transitioning from a niche hobby to a mainstream lifestyle staple in Shenzhen.”

Even traditional relaxation is getting a modern twist. A neo-Chinese tea room in downtown Shenzhen has topped the list for the second consecutive year by offering a sanctuary for mental rejuvenation.

“Integrating leisure with local character has become a preferred lifestyle,” explained store manager Liu Dingxiang. “Amidst Shenzhen’s relentless pace, a cup of tea in a natural setting offers guests pure self-healing.”

Launched on April 1, 2019, the Dianping "Must-Visit List" is a city guide focused on local leisure and entertainment. As part of Dianping’s “Must Series,” it forms a comprehensive lifestyle service evaluation system alongside the "Must-Eat List" and "Must-Stay List."

The list continues to serve as a powerful driver of tourism and consumption. In 2025, 56.9% of searches for listed venues came from non-local users — nearly triple the rate of unlisted businesses. Since the launch, traffic to Shenzhen’s featured venues has surged over 10%. Cumulatively, the list has influenced 3.9 billion visits, with listed destinations seeing holiday foot traffic jump 216% QoQ（quarter over quarter）and order volume climb 167% QoQ.

“The ‘Must-Visit List’ taps into evolving consumer trends, building a trusted bridge between users and urban leisure destinations,” said Tao Xuexuan, vice president of Meituan. “By prioritizing authentic transaction data over online hype, we curate time-tested, reliable spots. This approach effectively reduces decision-making costs and elevates the overall entertainment experience.”