One: Should I book tickets for popular attractions in advance?

I strongly recommend booking in advance, especially for the following attractions: 1. The Forbidden City (Beijing) - Limited to 80,000 visitors per day, tickets often sell out in advance during peak season (April-October). - Foreign tourists must purchase tickets with their passport information; there are no ticket booths at the site. - It's suggested to book 7-10 days in advance, even earlier during holidays.

1. Shanghai Disneyland
2. Tickets are tight during peak days (weekends, winter/summer vacations, national holidays), with queue times potentially exceeding 2 hours.
3. It's recommended to book 1-2 weeks in advance, and prioritize purchasing "Early Reservation Cards" or "VIP Cards" to reduce waiting time.

Other popular attractions such as the Great Wall (Badaling/Mutianyu), Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, etc., should also be booked 3-5 days in advance.

Two: How to book tickets?

1. Book through official online platforms

(1) The Palace Museum - Official Website: https://en.dpm.org.cn (English version) - Steps: Register an account → Select date and time slot (morning/afternoon session) → Fill in passport information → Pay online (supports international credit cards). - WeChat Mini Program: Search for "Palace Museum" → Bind passport information → Purchase tickets.

(2) Shanghai Disneyland Resort - Official Website: https://www.shanghaidisneyresort.com (Chinese and English options available) - Steps: Select date → Choose ticket type (1-day/2-day tickets, adult/child tickets) → Fill in visitor information (name + passport number) → Pay via Alipay or international credit card. - Official APP: Download the "Shanghai Disney Resort" app, which supports ticket purchases, FastPass (Disney Premier Access) reservations, and real-time queue updates.

2. Book through third-party travel platforms

• Ctrip (Trip.com): Supports English interface, allowing for nationwide attraction ticket bookings, some of which offer electronic tour guide services.
• Fliggy (Feizhu): A platform under Alipay, suitable for users who have linked overseas credit cards.
• Klook/KKday: Commonly used by international tourists, supporting multiple languages and payment methods.

3. Offline Booking (Not Recommended)

• Some attractions can be booked through hotel front desks or travel agencies, but additional service fees may apply, and availability cannot be guaranteed.

Three: Precautions

1. Real-name system and document requirements
2. Attractions like the Forbidden City and the Terracotta Warriors require strict verification of passport information. Visitors must carry their original passports when entering.

3. At Shanghai Disneyland, entry is via the purchased QR code, but carrying your passport is still recommended for checks.

4. Time-slot entry

5. Museums and historical sites like the Forbidden City typically require timed reservations, and failure to arrive within the designated time may result in denied entry.

6. Refund and change policies

7. Forbidden City tickets can be refunded or changed free of charge one day in advance. Disneyland tickets' refundability depends on the specific ticket type (some are non-refundable).

8. Avoiding peak hours

9. Forbidden City: Morning sessions (8:30-12:00) are the busiest, so it’s better to choose afternoon sessions (12:00-15:30).
10. Disneyland: Tuesdays to Thursdays tend to be less crowded, avoid Chinese national holidays.

Four: Payment and language support

• International credit cards (Visa/MasterCard) are widely accepted on official websites and some third-party platforms. However, WeChat/Alipay may require linking to foreign cards (refer to the "WeChat/Alipay Setup Guide").
• Both the Forbidden City and Disneyland official websites offer English services, while third-party platforms like Trip.com provide multi-language customer support.