One, Should you book tickets for popular attractions in advance?

Strongly recommended to book in advance!
Popular attractions in China such as the Forbidden City and Shanghai Disneyland often have a large number of visitors (especially during holidays and peak tourist seasons), and tickets are frequently sold out in advance. Booking in advance can avoid the following issues:
1. Risk of no tickets being available at the scene: Attractions like the Forbidden City limit daily visitors and do not have ticket windows on-site.
2. Time-saving: Queuing up to buy tickets at the entrance of popular attractions may take 1-2 hours.
3. Enjoy discounts: Some platforms offer early booking discounts.
4. More flexible itinerary planning: Ensures that you can visit according to your plan, avoiding last-minute changes.

Two, Specific attraction booking guide

1. The Forbidden City in Beijing

• Is it necessary to book in advance?: Must make a real-name reservation in advance; no tickets are sold on-site.
• How to book:
• Official website: https://gugong.ktmtech.cn (supports English interface)
• WeChat Official Account: Search “The Palace Museum” → Select "Ticket Reservation" in the menu bar
• Third-party platforms: Ctrip, Fliggy, Trip.com (additional service fees apply).
• Notes:
• Tickets become available for reservation 7 days in advance, released daily at 20:00 (Beijing Time).
• Foreign tourists need to fill in passport information and bring the original passport when entering.
• Tickets are divided into morning and afternoon sessions; entry must be made within the reserved time slot.
• It is recommended to avoid Mondays when the museum is closed (except for national holidays).

2. Shanghai Disneyland Resort

• Is it necessary to book in advance?: Not mandatory, but strongly recommended (especially during holidays).
• How to book:
• Official website: https://www.shanghaidisneyresort.com
• Official App: Shanghai Disney Resort (supports multiple languages)
• Third-party platforms: Klook, Meituan, Lvmama (possible discounts).
• Notes:
• Foreign tourists need to link their passport numbers and verify upon entry.
• Tickets are categorized as “Peak Days” and “Regular Days,” with different prices.
• You can purchase an additional "Disney MaxPass" to reduce waiting times.
• Selfie sticks, folding chairs, and other items are prohibited (see official website rules).

3. Other Popular Attractions

• The Great Wall (Badaling/Mutianyu):
• Reserve through the official website or WeChat Official Account “Badaling Great Wall”; tickets may also be purchased on-site outside of holidays.
• Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an:
• Need to reserve through the “Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Site Museum” official website.
• Jiuzhaigou Valley:
• Must purchase tickets in advance through the “Abazhou Tourism Network,” with visitor limits per day.

Three, General Ticket Booking Process

1. Confirm travel dates: Pay attention to the opening hours and closing days of the attractions.
2. Choose official or reliable platforms:
3. Official channels: Official websites, WeChat Official Accounts, Official Apps.
4. Third-party platforms: Ctrip, Fliggy, Klook, Trip.com (ensure selection of “official direct sales” label).
5. Register account: Foreign tourists can register using their passport number or email address.
6. Fill in information:
7. Select ticket type (adult/child/student).
8. Input name, passport number (must match ID).
9. Payment method:
10. International credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) or Alipay/WeChat Pay (requires pre-linking foreign bank accounts).
11. Save receipt:
12. Receive electronic ticket QR code, save screenshot on mobile phone.
13. Some attractions require exchanging for paper tickets (such as the Forbidden City).
14. Notes:
15. Some attractions require selecting specific entry time slots (e.g., Forbidden City morning session).
16. Refund and change policies: Most attractions require cancellation 1-3 days in advance.

Four, Important Tips

1. Suggested advance booking time for popular attractions:
2. Forbidden City/Terracotta Warriors: 7 days in advance.
3. Shanghai Disneyland: 3-5 days in advance (holidays 2 weeks in advance).
4. Essential documents: Original passport (must match booking information).
5. Travel during off-peak times:
6. The Forbidden City is recommended for the afternoon session (fewer crowds).
7. Shanghai Disneyland can be visited on Tuesdays to Thursdays.
8. Weather and equipment:
9. Prepare sun protection in summer and keep warm in winter (the Forbidden City has many open areas without shelter).