Chengdu International Panda Lanterns

Question

Hi, currently in Chengdu and was looking to go to the Panda Lantern exhibit that’s on - reserving a free ticket seems to be impossible for a foreign visitor with no Chinese phone number. Has anyone been able to book a spot without one/knows how to get around this? On the page it does say visitors with a passport need to go to the desk for id verification, but I can’t get past the Chinese phone number section.

Or has anyone had success walking up to the desk without a ticket?

Thanks for any suggestions!

Answer

The Chengdu International Panda Lantern Festival is a popular seasonal event, and indeed, the ticketing system can be challenging for foreign visitors who don’t have a Chinese phone number.

Booking tickets as a foreign visitor:

The official online reservation platform often requires a Chinese mobile number to receive a verification code, which can prevent foreign passports from completing the booking online.
However, the event organizers do allow foreign visitors to collect tickets on-site with passport verification. This means you do not necessarily need to complete the online booking if you plan to go directly to the ticket desk.
Arrive early, especially during weekends or holidays, because tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis for foreign visitors without a phone number.

Alternative approaches:

If you have a local friend or hotel concierge, they may be able to reserve the ticket online using their Chinese phone number and collect the physical ticket for you.
Some travel agencies or tour operators in Chengdu offer pre-booked tickets for foreigners, sometimes bundled with transport or guided tours.
Check whether the festival has a dedicated “foreign passport collection window” at the entrance, as some past visitors report success in simply showing their passport and picking up a free ticket on arrival.

Practical tips:

Bring your passport and any identification when collecting tickets in person.
Go early in the day to avoid missing your preferred time slot.
Confirm current festival rules at your hotel or local information points, as procedures can change from year to year.

In summary, while online booking without a Chinese phone number is tricky, walking up to the desk with your passport early in the day usually works, and having a local friend or agency reserve in advance can provide extra assurance.

Chengdu International Panda Lanterns

More Chengdu Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions