If you have ever walked down the street of a Chinese city and seen a bright red sign with a chubby snowman in a crown, that was Mixue Bingcheng (蜜雪冰城, pinyin Mìxuě Bīngchéng), which literally translates as “Honey Snow Ice City”. The chain covers the Celestial Empire so densely that you will bump into it literally on every corner — from the tourist centre of Beijing to a provincial town that foreigners rarely reach. An ice-cream cone or a glass of lemonade here costs less than a bus ride, and the quality and taste are quite comparable to far more expensive chains.
Russian tourists are often surprised: how, with such a glossy modern sign and perfect cleanliness, can the receipt at Mixue be so tiny? In this extended guide we have gathered not just dry facts but the most valuable information, secrets, hidden tricks and life hacks from local people that will help you squeeze the most out of every yuan, order drinks like a pro and find hidden sales.
What is the chain and why is there so much buzz around it?
Mixue Bingcheng is a Chinese chain of inexpensive ice cream, tea and lemonades that grew from a street stall into the world’s largest catering chain by number of outlets. By the beginning of 2026 the company had already opened more than 45 thousand outlets worldwide (the overwhelming majority of them in the PRC), which allowed it to overtake Starbucks and McDonald’s in scale. In 2025 Mixue Group held a triumphant IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The chain’s story began in June 1997 in Zhengzhou (Henan province), when the student Zhang Hongchao opened a shaved-ice stall on a modest loan of 3,000 yuan taken from his grandmother. The main bet of the business was an extremely low retail price with stable quality of raw materials. The breakthrough was provided by its own giant supply chain: Mixue itself produces all the syrups, dry ice-cream mixes and tea leaves, earning from supplying franchisees rather than from a markup to the end customer.
The brand’s recognisable symbol is the Snow King (雪王, Xuě Wáng), a chubby snowman in a crown and a red cloak. He is not just a mascot but a real cultural phenomenon. The snowman’s song “Mixue is sweet, you love me, I love you” became China’s main internet meme, and merchandise with him is bought up at a furious rate.
The main menu and current prices in the PRC
There are no overly complicated items on the Mixue menu; everything is intuitive from the pictures. Prices range from 2 to 10 yuan, many times cheaper than premium brands like HEYTEA or Nayuki.
| English name | Chinese name | Pinyin (pronunciation) | Price (yuan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice cream in a waffle cone (creamy classic) | 华夫冰淇淋 | huáfū bīngqílín | ≈ 2 ¥ |
| Iced lemonade with fresh lemon (the main hit) | 冰鲜柠檬水 | bīng xiān níngméng shuǐ | ≈ 4 ¥ |
| Lemon green / black tea | 柠檬绿茶 / 柠檬红茶 | níngméng lǜchá / níngméng hóngchá | ≈ 5 ¥ |
| Pearl milk tea (bubble tea with tapioca) | 珍珠奶茶 | zhēnzhū nǎichá | ≈ 6 ¥ |
| Big “Snow King” sundae (mango / strawberry / Oreo) | 雪王大圣代 | xuě wáng dà shèngdài | ≈ 6 ¥ |
| Strawberry milkshake (whipped ice cream with berries) | 草莓奶昔 | cǎoméi nǎixī | ≈ 6 ¥ |
| Yangzhi Ganlu (Hong Kong-style mango, sago, pomelo) | 港式杨枝甘露 | gǎngshì yángzhī gānlù | ≈ 10 ¥ |
For a detailed dive into the gastronomy of the Celestial Empire we recommend our big guide to food in China, so that you know where to look for the best restaurants and authentic eateries.
The secret menu (Secret Menu Hacks) from Chinese students
Mixue’s official menu is concise, but the Chinese themselves love to arrange a “culinary construction set”, combining different items. The cashiers will assemble these custom combinations without problems if you show them the names of the toppings in Chinese:
- “Creamy Lemonade” (Lemon Float): Order the classic iced lemonade (冰鲜柠檬水) and ask them to add a portion of soft vanilla ice cream (加冰淇淋). The drink acquires a delicate creamy taste reminiscent of lemon pie. For just 6 yuan you get a huge premium cocktail.
- Super Bubble Tea “4 Toppings” (Supreme Mixed Milk Tea): Buy an ordinary milk tea for 6 yuan and ask them to add oat flakes (燕麦 – yànmài), pudding (布丁 – bùdīng), coconut jelly (椰果 – yēguǒ) and cane sugar. The drink turns into a full, filling dessert that costs from 25 yuan in trendy coffee shops.
- “Oreo Oolong” (Oreo Cheese Oolong Hack): The base is Oolong tea. Ask for cheese foam and a double portion of Oreo crumbs (奥利奥碎). Stir thoroughly with the straw — you get a thick chocolate-cheese mousse.
- Volcano sundae (Brown Sugar Lava): Ask for an extra portion of hot black cane sugar syrup (黑糖 – hēitáng) to be poured over a chocolate or strawberry sundae. Because of the temperature difference the ice cream melts slightly, forming a caramel crust.
Life hacks from locals: how to order properly
The Chinese rarely drink drinks in the form in which they are set by default. When ordering at the till or in the app always use the customisation settings:
- Adjust the sugar (糖度 – Tángdù). By default Chinese tea is incredibly sweet. Tell the cashier “Wei tang” (微糖 – wēi táng) — it means 30% sugar, or “Ban tang” (半糖 – bàn táng) — 50% sugar. The drink will become refreshing rather than cloying.
- Manage the ice (冰量 – Bīngliàng). In summer heat so much ice is put in that it takes up 70% of the cup. To avoid overpaying for frozen water, say “Shao bing” (少冰 – shǎo bīng) — little ice, or “Qu bing” (去冰 – qù bīng) — completely without ice (the drink will still stay cold).
- The secret of big cups. Most fruit teas come in two sizes — medium (中杯 – zhōng bēi) and large (大杯 – dà bēi). The difference in price is only 1–2 yuan, but a large cup always gets twice as many real pieces of fruit. Taking the large size is better value.
Where do discounts, sales and free merchandise hide?
Although prices at Mixue are minimal anyway, the chain constantly runs hidden promotions that tourists don’t even suspect:
- “Snowman Wednesday”. On Wednesdays in many provinces of China, when you buy any large fruit tea through the WeChat or Alipay mini-app, a second identical drink or an ice-cream cone comes at a 50% discount or even free for 1 yuan.
- Free merchandise for quests. Mixue regularly releases co-branded collections of toys, stickers and magnets with the Snowman. The easiest way to get them free is to buy a special “Combo set” (usually 2 drinks and a sundae for 15 yuan). The presence of gifts is indicated by small promotional cards placed on the till counter.
- Coupons in Alipay. Open the Alipay app, type
蜜雪冰城into the search line at the top and go to the official mini-app. Almost always a welcome coupon for a 1–3 yuan discount on a first order or an “Ice cream for 1 yuan” coupon hangs there for newcomers and tourists.
How a foreigner places an order and pays
Russian roubles in cash or Mir bank cards don’t work in China, and ordinary paper yuan are very unwelcome at Mixue because there is no physical change in the till. All trade goes through QR codes.
- Option 1 (Simple): Go to the till and find the illuminated board with pictures. Point your finger at the desired image. Open your pre-configured Alipay wallet, press the “Pay/Authorize” button (your personal barcode will appear) and hold the screen out to the seller. The scanner beeps — payment has gone through. For details on how to link Russian or international Visa/Mastercard cards without opening an account in the PRC, read our guide on Alipay and WeChat Pay for tourists in China.
- Option 2 (Advanced): At the till or on the café wall find a square QR code with the snowman logo. Scan it through the camera in Alipay. An interactive menu in English or Chinese with pictures will open. You can calmly choose the sugar, ice and topping settings, pay right inside the phone and simply wait until your receipt number lights up on the pickup board.
Mixue versus HEYTEA and Nayuki: the battle of tea giants
To understand Chinese tea culture it is important to tell apart three key brands that will constantly flash before your eyes during your trip:
| Chain | Philosophy and audience | Average bill |
|---|---|---|
| Mixue Bingcheng | People’s street food. Quickly grab a cup of lemonade to escape the suffocating heat. Cheap, sweet, available to everyone. | 2 – 10 ¥ |
| HEYTEA (喜茶) | A premium “trendsetter”. They use expensive natural cheese foam, fresh berries and select leaf tea. People go here for the aesthetics and a complex taste. | 15 – 30 ¥ |
| Nayuki (奈雪的茶) | The “urban living room” format. Huge, beautiful spaces with soft sofas where it is customary to hold business meetings or dates, supplementing tea with refined European pastries. | 15 – 30 ¥ |
Summary for the tourist: If the goal is to cool down on the go cheaply and tastily, your choice is Mixue. If you want an unhurried gastronomic experience, Instagram photos and premium flavours, look for HEYTEA.
Checklist for a perfect visit
- Install Alipay in advance and link a working payment card to it.
- To protect against cloying sweetness always ask for a 30% sugar level (微糖 – wēi táng).
- Try the custom life hack: add an ice-cream cone straight into the iced lemonade.
- Look for Mixue venues in the food courts of big shopping centres and near metro stations — the ingredients turn over fastest there and everything is guaranteed fresh.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to buy such cheap ice cream in China?
Absolutely. Mixue is a tightly controlled international corporation with automated production. High hygiene standards are observed equally strictly in Shanghai and in small villages.
What if the staff don’t understand English?
You don’t need to know Chinese. Just open this article, find the right line in the menu table and show the seller the characters. They are used to working with deaf-mute customers and foreigners through gestures and smartphone screens.
Which drink is the most popular among local people in China?
The absolute sales leader all year round is the iced lemonade (冰鲜柠檬水) for 4 yuan and the strawberry ice-cream shake (草莓奶昔) for 6 yuan. Locals buy them by the bagful for a whole family or office.
In short, the main thing
Mixue Bingcheng is not just a cheap eatery but a real cultural attraction of modern China. Knowing the simple secrets of setting the sugar level, using coupons in Alipay and combining ingredients from the hidden menu, you can enjoy excellent cooling desserts every day during your excursions without doing any harm to your tourist budget.
