How do foreign tourists reserve tickets for attractions in China? 2026 passport ticket purchase, mobile phone number restrictions and on-site admission guide

01｜What should foreign tourists know first when booking tourist attractions in China?

When traveling in China, some popular attractions and museums implement a real-name reservation system. Foreign tourists can usually use their passports as valid identity documents, but the reservation platforms, identity verification methods, reservation times and admission rules of different scenic spots are not uniform.

Some attractions allow foreign tourists to make reservations directly through the official English website; some use WeChat official accounts or WeChat mini programs; while some venues accept passports, the mobile phone number verification in the online system may cause difficulties for overseas tourists.

Therefore, when foreign tourists reserve tickets for attractions in China, they need to distinguish four things:

1. Can a passport be used as an appointment document? This is the first step to confirm whether you can purchase tickets under your real name.
2. Does it support overseas mobile phone numbers? Some systems support passports, but registration or identity binding still requires a mainland Chinese mobile phone number.
3. Is it necessary to make a reservation in advance? Reservation is required for admission to some popular scenic spots, and ordinary individual visitors to some venues can enter directly.
4. Do I need to show my original passport when entering the park? Many attractions that implement the real-name system require that the reservation information be consistent with the personal ID. Electronic orders or QR codes may not be able to replace a passport.

The most important point is: China does not have a unified reservation system that applies to all scenic spots.

The Forbidden City, National Museum, Terracotta Warriors and Horses and Shanghai Museum use different reservation channels. Even if they are both in Beijing, the requirements for passport purchase and mobile phone number may be different between the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace.

It is recommended that after confirming the itinerary, you should first confirm the latest rules through the official website of the scenic spot or the official government tourism service page, and do not just rely on old strategies in search engines.

02｜What do foreign tourists need to prepare when making reservations for Chinese attractions?

Before starting your appointment, it is recommended to prepare the following information.

1. Valid passport

Passport is one of the most important identification documents for foreign tourists when booking tourist attractions in China.

When filling in reservation information, you usually need to provide:

• English name on passport.
• Passport number.
• Nationality or country of issuing document.
• Other identifying information required by the reservation system.

When filling in the information, please refer to the passport information page. Do not abbreviate your name, change the order of your names, or use spelling that is inconsistent with your passport.

If the traveling companions have multiple passports, they should use the ID information of each actual visitor to make a reservation. Do not use one person's passport information to purchase tickets for others.

2. Mobile phone number that can receive verification code

Different reservation platforms have different requirements for mobile phone numbers.

Some official English websites can make reservations through email or other methods, and do not necessarily require a mainland Chinese mobile phone number.

However, some WeChat mini programs or local ticketing platforms may require:

• Log in with WeChat account;
• Mobile phone number verification;
• Real-name identity binding;
• The appointment person and ID information match.

Special note: Supports foreign passports, but it does not necessarily mean that overseas mobile phone numbers are supported.

For example, the "Changyou Park" platform of Beijing Municipal Parks supports foreign tourists using their passports to purchase tickets, but the first identity binding currently requires the use of a mobile phone number registered in mainland China to receive a verification code, and does not currently support overseas mobile phone numbers.

If you do not have a mainland Chinese mobile phone number, you should first confirm whether there is an on-site ticket purchase or manual assistance channel instead of repeatedly trying different mobile phone number formats.

3. Available payment methods

The payment methods supported by different official platforms may be different.

Before making an appointment, you should confirm whether the payment page supports your payment tool. Some platforms may support overseas bank cards, and some WeChat mini programs may require the use of WeChat Pay or other designated methods.

Don’t assume that all official websites of Chinese scenic spots accept Visa, Mastercard or overseas e-wallets.

If you encounter problems with online payment, you should first check whether the official ticket purchase page provides on-site ticket purchase or manual services, and do not transfer money to your personal account in order to complete the reservation.

4. Electronic voucher after successful reservation

After the reservation is successful, you should save:

• Reservation order number;
• Appointment date and admission time slot;
• Electronic ticket or reservation QR code;
• Appointment confirmation email or text message;
• Passport information used when booking an appointment.

It is recommended to save screenshots of the reservation page and QR code locally on your mobile phone to prevent unstable network connection when arriving at the scenic spot.

However, it should be noted that the screenshot is only a reservation voucher and may not replace the original passport.

03｜How to make reservations for popular attractions in Beijing: Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and National Museum?

Beijing is one of the most visited cities by foreign tourists traveling to China, but the reservation methods for different attractions vary significantly.

1. Palace Museum: You can use your passport to make reservations through the official English website

The Palace Museum implements a real-name reservation system, and foreign tourists can use their passport numbers to make online reservations.

Official English reservation portal:

https://intl.dpm.org.cn/visit

Official ticket purchase entrance:

https://ticket.dpm.org.cn/

Main reservation rules:

• Foreign tourists can make reservations using their passport number.
• No same-day tickets are sold.
• Tickets are available for reservation as early as 7 days before the visit date.
• Daily reservations are limited, and popular dates may sell out faster.
• The Forbidden City is closed every Monday, except for special arrangements such as statutory holidays.
• On the day of the visit, you must bring the original valid ID used when making the reservation.
• The Meridian Gate is the only entrance to visit.

The official English website of the Forbidden City provides English services. Foreign tourists can view visit information and ticket purchase instructions through the corresponding entrance.

Special Note:

The Forbidden City officially reminds foreign tourists that they need to provide their passport numbers when making reservations. Do not use ID information that is inconsistent with your passport, and do not think that you will be able to enter the Forbidden City if you purchase related products provided by other platforms.

The Palace Museum does not authorize third-party organizations or individuals to act as agents for general admission tickets and exhibition reservations. In order to avoid buying invalid orders, you should give priority to using the official website or official mini program of the Forbidden City.

If you encounter problems when making a reservation, you can contact the Forbidden City Ticketing Customer Service:

• Phone: 400-950-1925
• Official ticket email: bookingticket@dpm.org.cn

2. Summer Palace: Online ticket purchase may require a mainland Chinese mobile phone number

The Summer Palace is different from the Forbidden City.

The Beijing Municipal Government clearly stated in its 2025 consultation response to foreign tourists that the Summer Palace provides online and offline ticket purchase methods:

Online ticket purchase:

Foreign tourists can purchase tickets according to the platform requirements, but at that time, online ticket purchasing requires a mainland Chinese mobile phone number, and overseas mobile phone numbers are not currently supported.

Ticket purchase on site:

If you do not have a mainland Chinese mobile phone number, you can go to the service window at the entrance of the Summer Palace, use your passport and other valid documents, and purchase tickets on-site with the assistance of the staff.

Therefore, if online ticket purchase cannot be completed using a mobile phone number from Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom or other countries, it does not mean that foreign tourists cannot enter the Summer Palace.

suggestion:

1. Check the official announcement of the Summer Palace and the current ticket purchase rules in advance.
2. If the online system cannot accept overseas mobile phone numbers, contact the scenic spot to confirm on-site ticket purchase arrangements.
3. Bring your original passport with you upon arrival.
4. Reserve time for on-site ticketing and security check.

The official consultation hotline of the Summer Palace:

+86-10-62881144

English service hours are subject to the latest information announced by the scenic spot.

3. Temple of Heaven Park: Use the official platform to make a reservation, and be careful to distinguish between park tickets and attraction tickets.

Tickets for the Temple of Heaven Park need to be distinguished between park admission tickets and tickets for visiting some internal attractions.

Attractions such as the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Echo Wall, and Circular Mound in the Temple of Heaven are areas that require additional attention to ticket arrangements. You cannot simply assume that purchasing a park ticket will necessarily include all internal attractions.

Foreign tourists can inquire and purchase tickets through designated channels such as the Temple of Heaven’s official WeChat account.

When making an appointment, please note:

• Choose park tickets or combined tickets based on your actual plan.
• If you plan to visit the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Echo Wall and Circular Mound, you should confirm whether you need to purchase tickets for the corresponding attractions.
• After the reservation is successful, the electronic ticket and order information are saved.
• When entering the park or designated attractions, you must present your electronic voucher and corresponding valid ID as required.

The reservation methods and ticket combinations of Temple of Heaven Park may be adjusted according to seasons and operational arrangements. It is recommended to refer to the official ticket purchase page.

4. National Museum of China: Free admission but reservation required in advance

The National Museum of China is located on the east side of Tiananmen Square in Beijing. It is an important venue for foreign tourists to learn about Chinese history, culture and art.

It should be noted that the National Museum of China implements an appointment system for admission. Free admission does not mean you can enter without reservation.

Official English reservation portal:

https://pcticket.chnmuseum.cn/museum-en/

Official English Visitor Guide:

https://en.chnmuseum.cn/visit_692/

According to the current English visit rules of the National Museum:

• Foreign tourists can make reservations through the official English reservation page.
• Reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance.
• New reservation quotas open at 17:00 every day.
• Each day is divided into different admission periods.
• When entering the museum, you need to present the original valid ID used when making the reservation.
• If the reservation information is inconsistent with the ID information, you may not be able to enter the museum.
• If you do not make a reservation or miss the reservation time, you may not be able to enter.

Reservation quotas at the National Museum are limited, so it is recommended to make arrangements in advance.

If there is a problem with passport information or page operation in the English reservation system, you can recheck the information through the official reservation page, or contact the venue for consultation.

National Museum consultation hotline: 010-65116400.

04｜Xi’an Terracotta Warriors and Horses: Foreign tourists must make a reservation with real name in advance

The Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum, commonly known as the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, is one of the most important tourist attractions in Xi'an.

Unlike some attractions that allow on-site ticket purchase, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses implements a real-name online reservation system. All tourists must make reservations in advance through designated official channels, including foreign tourists and policy-exempt persons.

Official ticket purchase website:

https://www.bmy.com.cn/

Official tour guide and ticket purchase instructions:

https://www.bmy.com.cn/guide/

Foreign tourists can use their passport information when making reservations.

Main steps:

1. Enter the official website of Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum.
2. Find the official ticket reservation entrance.
3. Select the visit date and time period as required on the page.
4. Fill in the tourist’s name, passport number and other identity information.
5. Complete the payment as required by the system.
6. Save order and reservation information.
7. On the day of visit, bring your original passport to the park for verification.

The reservation rules for the Terracotta Warriors and Horses require special attention:

• All tourists must make real-name reservations.
• The reservation person, ticket and valid ID must be consistent.
• When entering the park, you need to bring the original valid ID for the reservation.
• You must enter the park according to the reserved time slot.
• Buying tickets on the spot cannot be considered a reliable alternative.

The Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Museum consists of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum and the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Archaeological Site Park (Lishan Park). Visiting arrangements for the two scenic spots need to be informed in advance.

If you plan to visit two places at the same time, you should allow enough time and confirm the shuttle bus and operation arrangements for the day.

05｜Shanghai Museum: The reservation rules for the East Museum and the People’s Square Museum are different

The Shanghai Museum is another case that requires special attention.

It has different library areas, and the reservation rules of one library area cannot be directly applied to another library area.

1. Shanghai Museum East Building: No reservation is currently required for ordinary individual visitors

Official English page:

https://www.shanghaimuseum.cn/mu/frontend/pg/en/service/visit-east

According to the current official English visit instructions for the Shanghai Museum East Building:

• Ordinary individual visitors currently do not need to make reservations in advance.
• Opening hours are from Wednesday to Monday 10:00-18:00.
• Admission is closed at 17:00.
• Closed every Tuesday, except national statutory holidays.
• Individual spectators can enter through the B1 east gate with their valid ID cards.
• You are required to undergo a security check before entering the museum.

This means that if you only plan to visit the permanent exhibitions in the East Building, you usually do not need to make an appointment in advance.

But there are several situations that need to be handled separately:

First, special experience projects may require reservations.

For example, some interactive experience projects and digital exhibition halls in the East Building still require reservations through designated pages.

Second, paid special exhibitions may require additional ticket purchase.

If you plan to visit a paid special exhibition, you should check the official introduction and ticketing arrangements of the exhibition to confirm whether you need to purchase tickets separately.

Third, there are separate regulations for group visits.

Groups of 20 people or more need to make reservations by phone in advance and prepare relevant materials in accordance with museum regulations.

Shanghai Museum East Building group reservation phone number:

021-20729998

2. Shanghai Museum People’s Square: Do not apply the reservation-free rule of the East Building

The People's Square Branch and the East Branch of the Shanghai Museum belong to different museum areas, and the opening arrangements and reservation rules may be different.

When planning to visit the People's Square Pavilion, you should check the official visit page and current announcements for that pavilion area separately.

In particular, make sure:

• Do ordinary individual visitors need to make a reservation?
• Whether a foreign passport can be used directly for booking an appointment.
• Do you need to go through the official WeChat public account or the designated appointment portal?
• Do you need to purchase additional tickets for the special exhibition?
• Do you need to show your original passport or other reservation voucher when entering the museum?

Practical suggestions: When making a reservation or enquiry, be sure to first confirm whether you are going to the Shanghai Museum East Building or the People's Square Building. Do not just search for "Shanghai Museum ticket" and then directly follow the old guide.

06｜Foreign tourists who do not have a Chinese mobile phone number can make reservations for Chinese attractions?

This is a real problem that many international tourists encounter when traveling in China.

The answer is: You can make reservations for many attractions, but not all platforms support overseas mobile phone numbers.

It needs to be judged according to the specific system of the scenic spot.

Situation 1: The official website supports passport and overseas tourists reservations

This type of platform is usually more suitable for foreign tourists.

For example:

• The official English reservation website of the Palace Museum.
• The official English reservation page of the National Museum of China.

Such channels provide reservation portals for international tourists, and tourists can fill in their passport information as required on the English page.

Situation 2: The passport can be used, but the mobile phone number verification requires a mainland Chinese number

The "Changyou Park" platform in some municipal parks in Beijing is a typical example.

The platform supports foreign tourists using their passports to purchase tickets under their real names, but the first identity binding currently requires a mainland Chinese mobile phone number to receive a verification code.

If you don’t have a mainland China mobile phone number, you can consider the following methods:

1. Check whether the scenic spot offers on-site ticket purchase.
2. Contact the official customer service of the scenic spot to confirm the location of the on-site service window.
3. Bring your original passport to the comprehensive service window.
4. Staff will assist in purchasing tickets.

The official reply from the Beijing Municipal Government clearly stated that some municipal parks can purchase tickets on-site for foreign tourists through the entrance comprehensive service window, without completing the online mobile phone number binding in advance.

Scenario 3: Scenic spots require online real-name reservations in advance

Such scenic spots cannot simply rely on on-site ticket purchases.

For example, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses implements a real-name online reservation system, and foreign tourists must also make reservations in advance according to regulations.

If the reservation system cannot recognize the passport information, you should contact the official customer service as soon as possible to solve the problem. Do not wait until the day of the visit.

The most important way to determine when you don’t have a Chinese mobile phone number

Do not use other people's mobile phone numbers or identity information to register on your behalf just to reserve an attraction. Real-name reservations usually require the person making the reservation to be the same as the actual visitor to the park.

07｜FAQs and solutions for reservations at attractions in China

1. After filling in the passport number, what should I do if the system prompts that the document information is incorrect?

Check the following first:

• Is the passport number entered correctly?
• Whether the number 0 is confused with the letter O.
• Did you enter a space or special character by mistake?
• Whether the name is consistent with the data page of the passport.
• Does the appointment platform support foreign passports?
• Have you selected the correct document type?

If you still cannot make a reservation after confirming that the information is correct, you should contact the official customer service of the scenic spot and do not repeatedly create orders with different identity information.

2. What should I do if the mobile phone number is incorrect when making a reservation?

First, confirm whether the platform supports overseas mobile phone numbers.

If the platform explicitly requires a mainland Chinese mobile phone number, but you are using an overseas number, the problem may not be that the number was entered incorrectly, but that the platform itself does not accept overseas mobile phone numbers.

At this time, you should check whether the scenic spot provides manual services or on-site ticket purchasing channels.

3. What should I do if I have paid but have not received the reservation confirmation?

Do not pay twice immediately.

It is recommended to check in order:

1. Order records on the reservation platform.
2. Email inbox and spam.
3. Transaction records on WeChat or payment platforms.
4. Whether the official platform shows that the appointment was successful.

If payment has been deducted but no order is generated, you should contact official customer service to check the payment status.

4. After the reservation is successful, can I transfer the tickets to my friends?

Usually not.

Real-name reservations for scenic spots require that the reservation information matches the actual person entering the park.

If you use your own passport to make a reservation, but let a friend enter with the order, you may be refused due to inconsistent ID information.

If you need to change visitors, you should check the scenic spot refund, re-booking or change rules.

5. After the reservation is successful, can I enter the park only by showing the QR code on my mobile phone?

It cannot be generalized.

Some venues support QR code verification, and some require the presentation of a valid original ID at the same time.

Foreign tourists should by default bring the original passport used when making the reservation, unless the scenic spot official clearly states that other methods can be used for verification.

6. Tickets to the scenic spots are free. Do I still need to make a reservation?

Depends on scenic area rules.

The National Museum of China requires reservations for admission, and free admission also requires reservations.

Ordinary individual visitors to the East Building of Shanghai Museum currently do not need to make reservations, but special experience projects and some special exhibitions have other regulations.

Therefore, “free” should not be interpreted as “no appointment required.”

7. Can I purchase attraction tickets through third-party platforms such as Trip.com?

Some scenic spots or products may provide booking services on third-party platforms, but not all scenic spots authorize third parties to sell tickets.

For example, the Palace Museum clearly reminds visitors to make reservations through official channels and does not authorize third-party institutions or individuals to act as agents for general admission tickets and exhibition reservations.

For other attractions, you should first check the official ticket purchase instructions to confirm whether the third-party channel is authorized and whether the third-party order can be used directly for admission to the park.

If the official requires you to make a reservation under your real name, you cannot be sure that you can enter just based on the screenshot of the order provided by the third-party platform.

8. If I can’t make a reservation at the scenic spot, can I go directly to the venue and queue up?

It cannot be generalized.

• The Forbidden City does not sell same-day tickets, so reservations are required.
• The Terracotta Warriors and Horses implements a real-name online reservation system and should not rely on on-site temporary ticket purchases.
• Some Beijing parks provide on-site ticket purchase or manual assistance.
• Ordinary individual visitors to the East Building of Shanghai Museum currently do not need to make a reservation.

After the reservation fails, you must first confirm whether the scenic spot allows on-site ticket purchase or whether there is an official waitlist, refund quota release and other mechanisms. Do not go directly and only find out that you cannot enter.

08｜Practical suggestions for foreign tourists to book tourist attractions in China

In order to reduce reservation failures and inability to enter the park on site, arrangements can be made in the following order.

About 7 days before departure

• Confirm whether the attraction implements real-name reservations.
• Find the official website of the scenic spot or the official government reservation guide.
• Confirm whether foreign passports are supported.
• Check appointment opening dates and times.
• Check whether a mainland China mobile phone number is required.
• Prepare your passport information in advance.

For popular venues such as the Forbidden City and the National Museum, it is recommended to complete the operation as early as possible after reservations open.

After successful reservation

• Save the order number and reservation QR code.
• Check visit dates and times.
• Confirm the information of each person traveling with you.
• View gate and on-site verification requirements.
• Save reservation information locally on your phone.

On the day of visit

• Bring the original passport used for your appointment.
• Arrive at the scenic spot in advance and reserve time for security check and queuing.
• Enter the park according to the reserved time slot.
• Do not use someone else’s booking information.
• If the electronic order cannot be displayed, promptly present other reservation vouchers to the staff and seek assistance.

If online reservation fails

• First confirm whether it is a mobile phone number problem.
• Then confirm whether the scenic spot provides an English reservation entrance.
• Check if there are official on-site ticket purchasing channels.
• Contact the scenic spot customer service to confirm the handling method.
• Do not buy so-called insider tickets through private ticket selling accounts on social media.

09｜Official entrance for reservations at major attractions in China

The following are the main venues and official information entrances involved in this article. Reservation rules, opening hours and ticketing arrangements may be adjusted and should be checked again before departure.

Conclusion: When reserving an attraction, confirm the rules first and then arrange the route.

When traveling in China, making reservations for attractions is not complicated, but there are indeed differences in how different venues operate.

Foreign tourists can use their passports to make reservations for many Chinese attractions, but not all platforms support overseas mobile phone numbers, and not all attractions allow on-site ticket purchase.

The Forbidden City and the National Museum are suitable for advance arrangements through the official English reservation portal; although some municipal parks in Beijing support passport purchase, the first online identity binding may require a mainland Chinese mobile phone number; the Terracotta Warriors and Horses require real-name reservations in advance; ordinary individual visitors to the East Building of the Shanghai Museum currently do not need to make a reservation.

The safest approach is:

First confirm whether the scenic spot requires an appointment, then confirm the passport and mobile phone number requirements, and finally check the admission documents and on-site verification rules.

Completing these preparations in advance can reduce the risks of failed reservations, repeated payments, and being unable to enter the scenic spot upon arrival, making travel in China smoother.