Quick Answer (30 seconds)
Since 2020, most top attractions in China require advance booking with real-name verification. No booking = no entry. The Forbidden City releases tickets 7 days ahead at 8 PM. The National Museum is free but requires reservation 7 days ahead. The Terracotta Warriors need advance booking during peak season. Book via WeChat mini-programs (search the attraction name in Chinese). Foreigners use passport numbers. If it's too frustrating, use Trip.com or Klook for English booking.
No reservation = you went for nothing. Not "maybe can't get in" — "definitely can't get in."
Full Guide
You did everything right — booked flights, planned your itinerary, set an alarm to buy Forbidden City tickets. Then you arrive at the gate and realize you didn't book. The guard waves you away: no same-day tickets.
This is not rare. Since 2020, almost all top attractions in China moved to pre-booked, timed-entry systems. The COVID-era crowd management was never reversed. Today: Forbidden City, National Museum, Terracotta Warriors, Badaling Great Wall, Chengdu Panda Base — all require advance reservation, no on-site purchase.
Which Attractions Require Booking
These attractions will not let you in without a reservation:
- Forbidden City (Beijing) — 7 days ahead, 8 PM release. Sells out in seconds during peak season. ¥60 (peak)/¥40 (off-peak). Closed Mondays.
- National Museum (Beijing) — Free, 7 days ahead at 5 PM release. Sells out within minutes during peak. Closed Mondays.
- Terracotta Warriors (Xi'an) — ¥120, book 1 week ahead during peak season (off-season allows walk-in). Search "秦始皇帝陵博物院" in WeChat.
- Badaling Great Wall (Beijing) — ¥40 (peak)/¥35 (off-peak). Peak season requires booking; off-season may allow walk-in.
- Tiananmen Square (Beijing) — Free, requires WeChat reservation. Show passport at security checkpoints.
- Chengdu Panda Base — ¥55, reservation required, sells out in peak season.
- Shanghai Museum East — Free. Since September 2024, individual visitors can walk in without reservation (groups still need to book). East building closed on Tuesdays (not Mondays).
- Mogao Grottoes (Dunhuang) — ¥238 (standard)/¥100 (emergency), advance booking required, daily visitor cap.
- Potala Palace (Lhasa) — ¥200 (peak)/¥100 (off-peak), book 10 days ahead.
WeChat Mini-Program Booking Process
- Open WeChat, pull down on the home screen to access the search bar
- Search the attraction name in Chinese — e.g., "故宫博物院" (Forbidden City), "秦始皇帝陵博物院" (Terracotta Warriors)
- Tap the official mini-program (look for the official verification badge)
- Read the booking notice, tap "参观预约" (Visit Reservation) or "门票预订" (Ticket Booking)
- Select date and time slot — only the next 7 days are shown
- Fill in real-name info: Select "护照" (Passport - hù zhào) as ID type, enter passport number and name (must match passport exactly)
- Pay with WeChat Pay
- Screenshot the confirmation page — you'll show this at entry
Three Pain Points for Foreigners
Pain Point 1: Phone Number Verification Many attraction mini-programs require a Chinese phone number for SMS verification. If you don't have one:
- Try your international number (+1, +44, etc.) — some mini-programs accept it
- If not, use Trip.com or Klook (English interface, accepts foreign passports, small service fee)
Pain Point 2: Passport Number Format Some mini-programs have character limits or format restrictions on the passport field. If your passport number is alphanumeric and gets rejected, try removing spaces and hyphens.
Pain Point 3: All-Chinese Interface Most official mini-programs are Chinese-only. The process isn't complicated — just look for these keywords: 预约 (reservation), 日期 (date), 护照 (passport), 支付 (pay). But if you can't read any Chinese at all, Trip.com is easier.
Trip.com / Klook as English Alternatives
If you don't want to fight with WeChat mini-programs, Trip.com and Klook offer English booking:
- Accept foreign passports, no Chinese phone number needed
- Support foreign credit cards
- ¥10-30 service fee added
- Cover most major attractions (Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Great Wall, Panda Base, etc.)
Downside: Not all attractions are listed, and popular time slots may already be sold out on the official channel.
The Monday Closure Rule
Almost all museums in China close on Mondays. Forbidden City, National Museum, Shanghai Museum, Shaanxi History Museum — no exceptions. When planning your itinerary, leave Monday for shopping and dining, not museums.
🗺️ Want to see where these attractions are? Explore these attractions on the interactive map →
Troubleshooting
Problem 1: Arrived Without a Booking
What happens: You took a taxi to the Forbidden City and the sign says "advance reservation required." You didn't book.
Fix: You can't buy same-day tickets at the gate — the Forbidden City doesn't sell them. Open WeChat and check if any slots opened up (people cancel and tickets get released). If not, go to Jingshan Park directly across from the north gate (¥2, climb to the top for a full overhead view of the Forbidden City).
Problem 2: Passport Number Rejected
What happens: The mini-program says "ID number format error."
Fix: Check for extra spaces or hyphens. Try both upper and lower case for letters. If it still fails, switch to Trip.com for booking.
Problem 3: Can't Receive SMS Verification
What happens: The mini-program requires a Chinese phone number. Your foreign number can't receive the code.
Fix: Use Trip.com or Klook instead. Or ask your hotel front desk to help you book using their number. If you're staying a few days, buy a prepaid SIM card (¥30-50).
Last verified: August 2026 · Sources: Palace Museum official website (ticket.dpm.org.cn), National Museum (chnmuseum.cn), Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, Trip.com attraction guide · Policies may change — check official announcements before visiting.
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