What Things To Book In Advance?
What entry tickets and other things should I book online in advance for my China trip in order to save time and get in quicker/easier?
These are the places I plan to visit:
- Beijing Temple of Heaven
- Forbidden City
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
- Tianmen Mountain
- Great Wall (Jinshanling / Simatai)
- Great Wall (Jiankou / Mutianyu)
Thanks
When visiting popular attractions in China, booking tickets online in advance can save a lot of time, help you avoid long lines, and sometimes provide better prices. Based on the places you listed, here’s detailed guidance for each:
Beijing:
- Forbidden City: Highly recommended to book online in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons (spring, summer, and Chinese public holidays). Tickets are often sold out on the same day. Online booking allows you to select a specific entry time.
- Temple of Heaven: Tickets are generally available at the gate, and the attraction is less crowded than the Forbidden City. Booking in advance is optional, though it may save time during peak hours.
- Great Wall (Jinshanling / Simatai / Mutianyu / Jiankou):
- Mutianyu: Popular for its well-maintained sections and cable car. Booking online is highly recommended, especially for the cable car or to secure early morning entry.
- Jinshanling / Simatai: Less crowded, but online booking can ensure bus or shuttle availability from nearby towns. For Simatai, the night view is also ticketed, so booking online is advised if you want the night experience.
- Jiankou: Mainly visited by hikers and adventure travelers. Entry tickets can usually be bought at the entrance, but if you plan a guided tour or shuttle bus, online booking is recommended for convenience.
Zhangjiajie:
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: Tickets must be booked online in advance, especially during peak tourist season. The park has a limited number of daily entries and online booking ensures you secure a spot. Also consider booking cable car tickets (e.g., Tianzi Mountain Cable Car, Yuanjiajie Cable Car) online to avoid long queues.
- Tianmen Mountain: Tickets for the cable car, cliff walkways, and the glass skywalk are best booked online. The cable car line can have long waits, so booking in advance is highly recommended.
Additional tips:
- Book early morning time slots to avoid crowds.
- Check whether your online ticket includes shuttle buses or cable car rides, as these are sometimes sold separately.
- Use reputable websites or apps (official attraction sites, Ctrip, Klook, or other reliable Chinese travel platforms) to avoid issues at entry.
- For multi-day passes (e.g., Zhangjiajie park with multiple scenic areas), online booking can include bundled tickets, which is more convenient than buying separate tickets on site.
In summary, for your list of attractions, the top priorities to book online are the Forbidden City, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain cable car/tickets, and popular Great Wall sections like Mutianyu or Simatai. Temple of Heaven and Jiankou can often be bought on-site, but booking online can still save time.
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