Tickets and activities booking in China

With China further relaxing its visa-free policy, more international travelers are set to explore the country. One of the key aspects of a trouble-free trip is understanding how to purchase tickets. Here are some practical tips to help you out:

Online booking
Foreign visitors are required to provide passport numbers during the online booking process. Popular booking platforms include the official Applet on WeChat and Alipay, some third-party apps, and official booking websites. Visitors must bring the original valid identification used to book their tickets for check-in.

On-site purchase
Buying tickets on-site is an option, but there are potential hitches. In many scenic areas, the staff may not speak English, so visitors should take the language barrier into consideration. Besides, long queues for buying entrance tickets are common in popular attractions, especially during Chinese public holidays. Lastly, many scenic areas limit the number of tickets sold on-site per day. If visitors get there late, the ticketing office might be close or tickets may not be available. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to book a ticket online in advance to guarantee a smooth trip.

When to book
After international travelers have mapped out a China travel itinerary, they can start booking admission tickets for scenic areas involved. Generally speaking, most scenic areas in China release tickets seven days before the entry date, and they should try to secure them as early as possible. The latest travelers can book is the day before their intended travel.

Online order and confirmation
Visitors can submit their orders on the website and pay for it. Upon receiving their orders, the website will handle it immediately and send an email to the visitors. By clicking the link of “Check Order” in the email, visitors can view the Confirmation Number or QR Code, and the terms and conditions of “How to Use”.

Entry methods after online booking
Do visitors need to redeem a paper ticket after booking online? Or can they enter the scenic area directly? The case varies across different scenic areas. Foreign visitors can simply have their passport or ticket QR code scanned to enter some scenic areas, while some other scenic areas require visitors to collect a paper ticket at the ticket window using the QR code, confirmation number, or passport.