Which important attractions MUST be booked early?

Question

Hi, i will travel around China during the month of July.

I'd like to know which ones of the most important places to visit must be booked early, and which ones can be left for the last days before or just purchased on site on the day of the visit.

The list is:

-Mutianyu great wall (entrance ticket/cable car )

-other places in Beijing (Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven)

-Luoyang Longmen grottoes

-Terracota Army Xi'an

-Leshan Giant Buddha

-Zhangjiajie: National forest park , Tianmen Mountain, Canyon&Glass Bridge

Answer

Traveling in China during July coincides with the peak summer tourist season, so it’s important to plan ahead for certain popular attractions. Here’s a detailed guide on which attractions you should book early and which can be left for last-minute purchase.

Beijing Attractions:

Mutianyu Great Wall: Entrance tickets can be bought on-site, but the cable car or chairlift tickets are highly recommended to be booked online in advance during July due to heavy crowds. Early morning slots are best to avoid peak crowds.
Forbidden City: Tickets must be booked online in advance. July is extremely busy, and walk-up tickets are rarely available. Entry is strictly controlled with timed slots.
Summer Palace: Tickets can usually be purchased on the day, but online booking is safer to secure morning access. The lake cruise and certain sections may have separate tickets.
Temple of Heaven: Generally less crowded than the Forbidden City or Summer Palace. Tickets can be purchased on-site, though early morning arrival is recommended for a better experience.

Other Major Sites:

Luoyang Longmen Grottoes: July is peak season. Booking entrance tickets in advance is recommended to avoid long lines, especially if you have limited time.
Terracotta Army, Xi’an: Tickets should be booked online in advance. Morning slots are preferable, as afternoons are very crowded in summer.
Leshan Giant Buddha: Entrance tickets can be purchased on-site, but if you want to include the boat tour along the river, booking online may save time.

Zhangjiajie:

National Forest Park: Tickets can often be bought on the day, but early online booking is recommended during July. Some cable cars or shuttle services inside the park can sell out quickly.
Tianmen Mountain: Tickets, including the cable car, are highly recommended to be booked online. Lines can be very long during summer afternoons.
Canyon & Glass Bridge: Online booking is strongly advised, as visitor numbers are strictly limited for safety reasons. Morning slots are preferred to avoid crowds and heat.

Summary Advice:

Book early: Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, Tianmen Mountain cable car, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Mutianyu cable car.
Can be last-minute but arrive early: Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, LeShan Giant Buddha, National Forest Park (depending on your schedule).
Always check for any timed-entry or peak-season rules for each attraction to optimize your visit.

Planning ahead will save you significant waiting time and allow you to enjoy the sites without rushing, especially during China’s busy summer months.