Booking attractions and museum entry
Major attractions in China — including the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Terracotta Army — now require advance booking, often with a passport number. Book through official websites or platforms like Trip.com, which handle the verification for international visitors.
Many museums are free but still require a timed entry reservation. The Forbidden City and national museums in Beijing, for example, release tickets weeks in advance and often sell out, so plan ahead and book as early as possible.
At many sites, showing your passport grants access, and international visitors sometimes receive discounted or faster entry. Consider skip-the-line tour packages during peak seasons (Chinese holidays: May Day, National Day, Spring Festival) when queues are longest.