Tips & Answers · Community post
Do I need to book tickets in advance for major attractions in China or buy on-site? How to book as a foreigner?
My friend and I are traveling to China in September and finalizing our itinerary across Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Guilin/Yangshuo, and Shanghai.
We want to know whether it's strictly necessary to book tickets in advance for the main sights, or if buying them on-site at the ticket counter is still an option. Also, as foreign tourists without a Chinese ID, what is the best/easiest way to book them?
Which of these usually sell out fast and must be booked days/weeks in advance?
Is Trip.com the best platform for foreigners to book these, or should we try official WeChat mini-programs / ask our hotels for help?
Sorry this is AI, my English is not really Good.
Comments (1)
Trip is the first choice for most tourists when booking flights, train tickets and hotels. However, for scenic attraction tickets, you can consider purchasing them on location most of the time.
First of all, online and on-site prices are basically the same. Small price gaps can be ignored, and there are generally no big discounts.
Secondly, buying tickets online may make your schedule tighter. Sometimes you might want to travel spontaneously and visit places as you please, without being locked into pre-booked tickets. Nearly all tourist sites offer on-site ticket sales.