The Ultimate Guide to Booking Beijing Attractions in 2026 | How to Reserve Tickets for the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the National Museum?
Last Updated: May 2026
> In China, showing up without a reservation is practically a wasted trip. This is no exaggeration. Almost all popular attractions in Beijing—from the Forbidden City to the Badaling Great Wall—have switched to a “reservation system.”
This means you won’t be able to buy tickets at the gate. For foreign tourists accustomed to simply walking up to the ticket window, this can feel a bit jarring at first.
But don’t worry—this guide is your step-by-step manual: it clearly explains how to book each attraction, where to book, when to snag tickets, and what to do if you can’t secure a reservation—all laid out in a straightforward, easy-to-follow format.
Table of Contents
I. Background: Why Is Buying a Ticket Such a Hassle?
The good old days are over. Today, most tourist attractions in Beijing operate on a “no reservation, no entry” policy—if you haven’t booked online in advance, you won’t be able to enter once you arrive.
Why is it so complicated? Because the vast majority of attractions have their own WeChat mini-programs, which are almost exclusively in Chinese, there is no unified “English ticketing portal.”
For foreign tourists unfamiliar with this system, it can indeed be baffling.
But the good news is: Beijing is rapidly addressing this issue. By 2026, foreign tourists will be able to make real-name reservations on most platforms using their passports.
Beijing has also launched the “GO BEIJING” one-stop platform, which supports 16 languages and integrates 39 commonly used functions—including attraction reservations, ride-hailing, and hotel bookings—allowing you to secure your tickets before you even set foot in Beijing.
II. List of Beijing’s Top Attractions Requiring Reservations
The table below lists the Beijing attractions that foreign visitors should prioritize booking in advance, along with key reservation details.
| Attraction Name | Admission Price | Reservation Required | Number of Days in Advance | Ticket Release Time (Beijing Time) | Booking Channels | Notes |
| Palace Museum | Admission: 60 RMB (April–October), 40 RMB (November –March); Treasure Hall/Clock and Watch Hall: 10 RMB each | ✅Reservation required | 7 days in advance | 8:00 PM daily | “The Palace Museum ”WeChat Mini Program / Official Website ticket.dpm.org.cn | No same-day tickets available; book exactly at 8:00 PM 7 days in advance; foreign visitors must use their passport to book |
| National Museum of China | Free (Permanent Exhibitions) | ✅Reservation required | 7 days in advance | 5:00 PM daily | “National Museum ”WeChat Mini Program / Official Website / Trip.com | Free but extremely difficult to book; recommended to book immediately after tickets go on sale |
| Tiananmen Square | Free | ✅Reservation required | 1–9 days in advance | Tickets are released in batches daily at 12:00 PM | “Tiananmen Square Visit Reservation ”WeChat Mini Program | A Palace Museum reservation does not guarantee entry to the square; a separate reservation for the square is required |
| Badaling Great Wall | 40 RMB (peak season), 35 RMB (off-season) | ✅Reservation required (on-site ticket purchases also accepted) | 7–10 days in advance | — | “ Badaling Great Wall ” WeChat Official Account / “Jingtong” WeChat Mini Program (English version available) | Relatively easy; tickets can also be purchased on-site |
| Mutianyu Great Wall | Admission: 45 RMB; Night Tour: approx. 200 RMB (includes cable car) | ✅Reservation required | 30 days in advance | — | “Mutianyu Great Wall ” official website / WeChat official account | Reservations open 30 days in advance; many date options available |
| Temple of Heaven Park | Combined ticket 35 RMB (includes Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Echo Wall, etc.) | Booking recommended (easy to purchase) | 7 days in advance | Tickets are released daily at 12:00 AM | “Jingtong ”WeChat Mini Program / “Changyou Park” Official Account | Ticket availability is relatively plentiful; booking is relatively easy |
| Summer Palace | 30 yuan | Booking recommended | 7 days in advance | Tickets are released daily at 9:00 PM | “JingTong” WeChat Mini Program | Tickets are relatively plentiful, so booking is relatively easy |
| Jingshan Park | 2 yuan | No booking required | — | — | Tickets available for purchase on-site | If you don’t plan to visit the Wanchun Pavilion, you can buy tickets on-site—It’s easy and hassle-free, making it a great Plan B |
III. Step-by-Step Booking Guide: How to Navigate “All-Chinese Mini Programs”?
This is probably the most frustrating part of the entire process. The booking interfaces for the vast majority of tourist attractions are entirely in Chinese, which can be quite a hassle if you don’t read Chinese. Here are a few practical tips:
Method 1: Screenshot + Real-Time Translation
This is the simplest method. Within the WeChat Mini Program, take a screenshot immediately whenever you reach a key page (such as selecting a date, filling in information, or before payment).
Then use the translation tool built into your phone (such as the “Translate” app on iPhone, which is ready to use with a single tap, or Google Translate’s screenshot-based translation feature) to translate the Chinese text in the screenshot into English. Once you understand it, click “Next.”
Option 2: Use “GO BEIJING” for a One-Stop Solution
“GO BEIJING” is a platform created by the Beijing Municipal Government specifically for foreign tourists. It supports 16 languages, including Chinese, English, Russian, Korean, and Arabic. It integrates 39 commonly used services such as taxi booking, ticket purchasing, hotel reservations, attraction reservations, and tax refunds for departing travelers.
You can search for “入京通GO BEIJING” on WeChat. After registering and logging in with a single tap, you can switch directly to the English interface.
Option 3: Use a Booking Service
If you’d rather avoid the hassle, you can purchase ticket booking services through platforms like GetYourGuide, Klook, or Trip.com. Simply pay with a foreign credit card, and the platform will secure the tickets for you.
The downside is the extra cost (typically 20–200 yuan more than the original price), but the upside is peace of mind—no need to figure out WeChat mini-programs. Booking services are ideal for travelers who find the reservation process a headache.
Method 4: Ask a Local Friend or Your Hotel to Make the Reservation for You
If you have friends living in China, or if your hotel offers concierge services, you can ask them to make the reservation on your behalf. They can use their WeChat account to book through the mini-program; all you need to do is provide them with your passport information.
> Helpful Tip: Not every method works for everyone. We recommend trying Method 1 (screenshot translation + booking directly via the mini-program) before you leave. If you really can’t figure it out, then try Methods 2 or 3.
IV. A Detailed Guide to Booking Tickets for the Palace Museum—Starting with the Hardest Part
The Palace Museum is, without a doubt, the hardest attraction in Beijing to book. Tickets go on sale at exactly 8:00 p.m. seven days before the visit date and are usually snapped up within minutes. Therefore, you must prepare well in advance.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Preparation: Install WeChat on your phone in advance and make sure you’ve registered and logged in.
2. Find the Entry Point: Open WeChat, enter “The Palace Museum” in the search bar at the top of the home page, and locate and click on the “The Palace Museum” WeChat Mini Program (the icon features a golden eave from the Forbidden City). This is the only official booking channel.
3. Select Booking: On the home page, locate the “Buy Tickets & Book” button and tap it.
4. Select Date: On the calendar, choose the date you plan to visit (bookings open 7 days after the ticket release date; for example, if today is April 1, you can book tickets for April 8). Select either a morning slot (8:30 AM–1:00 PM) or an afternoon slot (1:00 PM–4:00 PM). The Forbidden City covers a large area, so we recommend choosing the morning slot. You can spend at least half a day exploring, go out for lunch, and then return.
5. Select Ticket Type:
– General Admission Ticket: 60 RMB during peak season (April–October), 40 RMB during off-season (November–March). Required.
– Treasure Hall: 10 yuan (optional). It houses a collection of gold, silver, jade, and jewelry from the Qing Dynasty imperial palace, which is well worth a visit.
– Clock and Watch Hall: 10 yuan (optional). It displays various clocks and watches presented as tributes by foreign envoys and officials during the Qing Dynasty.
6. Fill in your information (the most critical step):
– Select “Passport” as the ID type
– Enter your passport number
– Enter your name (exactly as it appears on your passport)
– Select your nationality
7. Confirm and pay: After verifying that all information is correct, click “Submit Order.” WeChat Pay is supported (after linking a foreign credit card). From this step onward, you have only 10–15 minutes to complete the payment; otherwise, the order will be canceled, and the tickets will be forfeited.
8. Booking Confirmed: You will receive a WeChat notification once payment is complete. After booking is confirmed, present the original passport used during booking at the Meridian Gate (South Gate of the Forbidden City) to scan your passport and enter.
ID Requirements for Foreign Nationals: Visitors from outside mainland China must use a Hong Kong/Macau Resident Travel Permit for Mainland China, a Taiwan Resident Travel Permit for Mainland China, a Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan Resident Residence Permit, a Foreigner Permanent Residence ID Card, or a passport to purchase tickets. Generally, using a passport is the most convenient option for foreigners.
What if you couldn’t book a Forbidden City reservation before your trip? Don’t worry—there are plenty of other places in Beijing where you can see the Forbidden City, and you won’t have to scramble for tickets. Scroll down to the “Plan B” (Section 6) section.
V. Key Points for Booking Other Major Attractions
5.1 National Museum of China—Free but Extremely Difficult to Book
The National Museum of China is the world’s largest museum in terms of floor area. Its“Ancient China” exhibition hall is a must-see (featuring virtually all of China’s most precious artifacts from prehistoric times to the Qing Dynasty), but admission is free.
- Extremely Difficult to Book: Admission to the National Museum requires a free reservation, with a daily quota. Tickets are snapped up instantly once they become available. The system releases tickets at 5:00 PM (Beijing Time) seven days before the visit date.
- Booking Channels: “National Museum” WeChat Mini Program, National Museum official website, Trip.com
- Entry time slots: Three slots are available daily: 9:00 AM–11:00 AM, 11:00 AM–1:30 PM, and 1:30 PM–4:00 PM
- Foreign Visitors: Must make a real-name reservation using a passport via the WeChat mini-program
- What to Do If You Can’t Get a Reservation: Consider visiting the Capital Museum (less crowded but with excellent collections) or the Beijing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall (located just east of Tiananmen Square, featuring a massive scale model of Beijing).
- Budget Guide: Admission is free (US$0). However, we recommend renting an audio guide for 40 yuan (US$5.60).
5.2 Tiananmen Square—Free Admission, but a Separate Reservation Is Required
Admission to Tiananmen Square is free, but even if you have already booked a visit to the Forbidden City, you must make a separate reservation for the square. A reservation for the Forbidden City does not guarantee entry to the square.
- Booking Window: 1–9 days in advance
- Booking Channel: Search for the “Tiananmen Square Visit Reservation” mini-program on WeChat
- ID Requirements: Foreign visitors must use their passport or Foreign Permanent Residence ID to book
- Visiting Time Slots: Flag-raising, Morning, Afternoon, and Flag-lowering
- Must Bring: Original passport (checked upon entry)
- Cost: Free (US$0)
- Flag-raising ceremony schedule: The daily flag-raising time aligns with Beijing’s sunrise (around 5:00 AM in summer, around 7:00 AM in winter). To watch the flag-raising ceremony, you must book the “Flag-raising session.” Arrive at the security checkpoint at least 40 minutes in advance.
5.3 Badaling Great Wall—Relatively Easy, but Advance Reservations Are Still Recommended
Badaling was the first section of the Great Wall to open to tourists in China. While it is highly popular, securing a reservation is not particularly difficult; you can even purchase tickets at the on-site ticket window.
- Booking Channels:
- The official “Badaling Great Wall” WeChat public account (click “Micro-Ticket Purchase” in the menu bar → “Individual Ticket Purchase” → “Scenic Area Ticket Purchase”)
- The “JingTong” WeChat mini-program (one-stop ticketing for 74 Beijing-affiliated scenic areas; supports English interface)
- ID: Passports are accepted for booking
- Ticket Purchase: Tickets can be booked online or purchased at the scenic area ticket window for entry
- Budget Guide: Admission is 40 RMB (US$5.60). A one-way cable car ride costs approximately 100 RMB (US$14), and a round-trip costs approximately 140 RMB (US$19.60).
- Weekend Crowd Avoidance Tip: Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days at Badaling. Try to schedule your visit for Tuesday through Thursday to avoid the weekend travel rush of domestic tourists.
5.4 Mutianyu Great Wall—Book Up to 30 Days in Advance
The Mutianyu Great Wall is ideal for foreign tourists who want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a leisurely hike along it. The night tour is a unique experience, open from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM in July and August.
- Booking Benefits: Real-name reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance
- Documentation: Only one ticket per passport number per day
- Night Tour Hours: A night tour ticket is required for entry after 5:30 PM; the open section covers Watchtowers 10 to 15
- Booking Channels: The official “Mutianyu Great Wall” WeChat account (click “Night Tour Ticket Booking”) or the official website mutianyugreatwall.com
- Night Tour Ticket Includes: Admission + shuttle bus + unlimited cable car rides; approximately 200 RMB (US$28)
- Budget Guide: Daytime admission is 45 RMB (US$6.30); the all-inclusive night tour ticket is 200 RMB (US$28).
VI. Locals’Plan B: What to Do If You Can’t Get Tickets to the Forbidden City or the National Museum?
This is the most practical part of this guide—real alternative options in case you can’t snag tickets.
6.1 Alternatives If You Can’t Get Forbidden City Tickets
Jingshan Park:
While tickets to the Palace Museum cost 60 yuan, Jingshan Park is only 2 yuan. From the Wanchun Pavilion on Jingshan Hill, you can take in a panoramic view of the entire Forbidden City.
This is one of the cheapest ways to “snap a photo of the Forbidden City” in Beijing. Opening hours are 6:00 AM–9:00 PM during peak season and 6:30 AM–8:00 PM during off-peak season. No booking is required; tickets can be purchased on-site. Budget estimate: 2 yuan (US$0.30).
Zhongshan Park:
Adjacent to the west side of the Forbidden City, this park was originally the Imperial Altar of Land and Grain during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is quiet and serene, with very few visitors. Constructed in 1421, the Altar of Land and Grain is a Ming-dynasty structure predating the Forbidden City itself—yet while touring the Forbidden City, almost no one notices this small park tucked right next door.
During spring, there is a tulip exhibition (admission 10 yuan); regular admission is usually 3 yuan. Full price: 3 yuan (US$0.40); students and seniors receive half-price admission or free entry. Free admission policy: Foreign visitors aged 60 and over are admitted free of charge upon presentation of a passport.
6.2 Alternatives to the Overcrowded Great Wall
Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall: Here, the Great Wall is connected to a reservoir, with sections of the wall emerging from the water, creating a unique landscape. Unlike the crowds at Badaling, it’s a great spot for taking photos. Admission is approximately 60 yuan (US$8.40).
A section of the Great Wall is located above Gubei Water Town. You can make a reservation via the official WeChat account “Water Town Booking” → “Free Admission Reservation.”
Simatai Great Wall free admission information: A 15-day free admission promotion exclusively for women is currently available; visitors can enter for free by making a real-name reservation at least three days in advance on designated dates.
However, foreign tourists must visit the ticket office at the Visitor Service Center to process their free reservation in person; online reservations are not supported.
Gubei Water Town: A Jiangnan-style water town resort located at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall. In January 2026, it offered free admission to all visitors nationwide. Reference price: Scenic area admission is approximately 140 yuan (US$20).
6.3 Alternatives if You Can’t Get Tickets to the National Museum
Capital Museum: Located on the western extension of Chang’an Avenue. It boasts an impressive collection and offers high-quality exhibitions of ancient artifacts, but tickets are much easier to secure. Admission is free (US$0).
Beijing Urban Planning Exhibition Hall: Located on Qianmen East Street, right next to the east side of Tiananmen Square. It features a massive scale model of Beijing, allowing visitors to see the city’s overall planning layout—a sight that foreign tourists find particularly fascinating. Admission is free (US$0).
VII. Practical Tips & How to Avoid Pitfalls
1. Make an appointment before you leave
Prepare your passport information before you leave (while still in your home country) and complete the registration on the WeChat Mini Program. If you wait until you arrive in Beijing to make an appointment, you may easily miss the deadline due to time constraints.
2. What if you don’t receive the verification code?
Identity verification on the WeChat Mini Program requires a text message verification code sent to the mobile number you use in China.
If you’re using a SIM card from your home country with international roaming enabled, you should generally receive it.
Just in case, we recommend purchasing a Chinese SIM card in the airport arrival hall (both China Mobile and China Unicom offer short-term tourist plans).
3. Print the booking confirmation page before departure
Although you’ll mainly scan your e-ticket on your phone at the ticket gate, we still recommend taking a screenshot or printing out your booking confirmation page and keeping it on your phone just in case the network signal is poor on-site.
4. Bring your original passport to every attraction
While locals use their ID cards, foreigners must present their passports. The ticket gate at every attraction will check your original passport; a photocopy is not acceptable—you must bring the original.
5. Tips for Using Third-Party Booking Services
If you plan to purchase Forbidden City tickets through a third-party platform, avoid individual sellers offering extremely low prices (they are likely scammers). Choose large, reputable platforms that offer platform guarantees, such as GetYourGuide, Klook, Trip.com, and Viator.
6. Reminder: Most Attractions Are Closed on Mondays
The vast majority of museums and parks are closed on Mondays, including the Palace Museum, the National Museum of China, and the Capital Museum. Be sure to check the specific opening hours of each attraction before your trip.
7. GO BEIJING: Your One-Stop Travel Companion
Search for “GO BEIJING” on WeChat. With one-tap language switching available in 16 languages, this app aggregates 39 features—including taxi booking, ticket purchases, hotel reservations, attraction reservations, and tax refunds for departing travelers—all in one place. It’s ideal for international visitors who don’t want to spend time figuring out individual mini-programs.
VIII. Summary: Pre-trip Reservation Checklist
| Item | Completed✓ | Recommended Time |
| Palace Museum ticket reservation | ☐ | Book tickets promptly at 8:00 PM, 7 days before your visit |
| National Museum ticket reservation | ☐ | Secure tickets promptly at 5:00 PM exactly 7 days before the visit |
| Tiananmen Square reservation | ☐ | Reserve 1–9 days in advance |
| Badaling/Mutianyu Great Wall reservation | ☐ | Reserve 3–7 days in advance if possible |
| Temple of Heaven/Summer Palace/Jingshan Park/Zhongshan Park | ☐ | Book 1–7 days in advance or purchase on-site |
| Booking Platforms (if needed) | ☐ | Complete purchase 2–4 weeks before departure |
| Before Departure: Take screenshots of all booking confirmation pages and save them | ☐ | — |
| Activate a Chinese SIM card (for receiving verification codes) | ☐ | Arrange upon arrival at Beijing Airport |
| Check your original passport | ☐ | Check once before leaving the country and once before departure |
| Check opening hours and closed days for each attraction (especially Mondays) | ☐ | Double-check the day before your trip |
Making a reservation isn’t difficult; the real challenge is not daring to try when you don’t know how.
The reservation process for every major attraction in Beijing is actually 70–80% similar: WeChat Mini Program → Select a date → Enter passport information → Pay.
Once you get the hang of this process, the complexity of securing tickets will be greatly reduced.
If you happen to miss out on the Forbidden City, head to the top of Jingshan Park and pay 2 yuan to get a full view of the Forbidden City’s rooftops, or visit the Altar of Land and Grain in Zhongshan Park to experience the site where emperors once held rituals 600 years ago.
Either way, your trip to Beijing won’t be in vain.
