Short answer: Book the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army and popular Great Wall sections online, in advance, with your passport details — do not count on buying at the gate. The Forbidden City is the tightest: tickets are released a few days ahead and peak dates sell out. The Terracotta Army needs a real-name, time-slot reservation. The Great Wall is the most flexible, if you choose your section well.
This guide covers the three attractions first-timers most often get wrong, plus the general rules that apply across China: real-name booking, passport checks, time slots, and what to do when a date is sold out. For city plans, see Beijing for First Timers and Xi’an Terracotta Army Guide.
1. The general rules, before the details
- Real-name booking: Most major attractions book by passport name and number. The name on the ticket must match the passport you bring.
- Bring the passport: Bring the original passport, not a photocopy, on the day. Entry checks are common.
- Time slots: Many sites now sell morning and afternoon slots. Arrive in your slot; a late arrival is not guaranteed entry.
- Book through official channels first: Use the attraction’s official booking page or mini-program where available. Third-party platforms can help, but check what is included, what is refundable, and whether the ticket is in your name.
- Peak dates sell out: Chinese public holidays, school holidays and weekends are the tightest. If your dates are fixed, book as early as the release window allows.
2. Forbidden City, Beijing
Book online in advance with your passport details. Tickets are normally released a set number of days ahead — commonly around seven days, with a daily release time in the evening Beijing time — and peak dates sell out quickly. Do not plan to buy at the gate. Arrive with your passport, allow time for security, and keep the day flexible: the Forbidden City is large, and a rushed visit misses the point. For the wider Beijing plan, see Beijing for First Timers and China 10-Day Itinerary.
3. Terracotta Army, Xi’an
Book a real-name, time-slot reservation in advance with your passport details and bring that passport. Allow a half day at the site plus travel time from central Xi’an. Arrive at opening on a weekday and go to Pit 1 first if you want the quietest experience. Full timing and transport details are in Xi’an Terracotta Army Guide.
4. Great Wall: choose the section first
| Section | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mutianyu | Most first-timers | Better scenery and fewer crowds than Badaling; cable car and toboggan down |
| Badaling | Tight schedules, easiest access | The busiest and most restored section |
| Jinshanling / Simatai | Walkers who want a longer, wilder stretch | More walking, less suitable as a first, short visit |
Book transport and entry together where possible, check whether the cable car or chairlift is included, and do not book a “wild wall” hike as a first-timer without a proper guide: unmaintained sections are steep, unguarded and easy to underestimate.
5. If your date is sold out
- Shift the day if you can, even by one day.
- Try a different time slot on the same day.
- Do not buy from touts at the gate: tickets may be fake, in another name, or simply invalid.
- Reorder your city days so the sold-out site falls on a weekday.
6. Paying and refunds
Pay through Alipay or WeChat Pay where the official channel accepts them; see How to Set Up Alipay. Check the refund and change rules before paying: many attraction tickets are date-specific and non-refundable, or refundable only before a cut-off. Keep the booking confirmation and the passport used for booking together.
Release windows, prices and slot rules change, sometimes without much notice. The official booking page on the day governs. Treat any price or release time in a guide as a starting point to check, not a guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy Forbidden City tickets at the gate?
Do not count on it. Book online in advance with your passport; peak dates sell out.
Do I need my passport at every major attraction?
At most major, real-name attractions, yes — the original passport, matching the booking.
Which Great Wall section should a first-timer choose?
Mutianyu for most first-timers, Badaling only if time is very tight.