Reservations for museums

Question

I read it's necessary to reserve tickets to museums / attractions as these places limit the number of visitors within a certain time slot. Is this only done via Mini Programs on wechat? Any issues with getting these reservations via wechat because I have also read that somehow wechat registered with foreign numbers, cannot receive verification code which is needed when reserving. Not sure how true this is.

Would it be advisable to get a Chinese number?

Answer

Yes, many museums and popular attractions in Nanjing and other Chinese cities now require visitors to reserve tickets in advance. This is primarily to control crowd sizes and comply with health and safety regulations. Most of these reservations are done through WeChat Mini Programs, which are integrated into the WeChat app.

Regarding reservations using WeChat with a foreign number, there are some important points:

WeChat may send SMS verification codes only to certain regions. Some foreign numbers can experience issues receiving the verification code needed for account verification or ticket booking.
Even if your WeChat account is active, some Mini Programs may still require a locally verified number to complete reservations.
Some travelers have successfully used WeChat with foreign numbers by using a verified international SIM, but results are inconsistent.

Given these potential difficulties, having a Chinese phone number can be very helpful:

With a local number, you can easily register or verify WeChat and use Mini Programs without issues.
Many attractions require a Chinese ID or phone number for booking; having a local SIM makes it straightforward.
Chinese SIM cards are inexpensive and can be purchased at airports, convenience stores, or mobile service centers.

If you cannot obtain a Chinese number, alternative options include:

Booking through authorized third-party ticketing platforms that accept international numbers, though they may charge extra fees.
Purchasing tickets at the attraction itself, if available, though this carries the risk of tickets being sold out.
Booking through hotels or local tour operators, who can often secure tickets in advance.

In summary, while it is possible to make reservations with a foreign WeChat account, having a Chinese phone number significantly reduces complications and ensures smoother access to timed-entry tickets.

Reservations for museums

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