Tips & Answers · Community post
Is it mandatory to carry physical passport while visiting Great Wall of China and Forbidden City?
AppsiitlShared Aug 22, 2026Hi all, I am traveling to Beijing next month and planning to visit the Great Wall, probably Badaling or Mutianyu, and the Forbidden City.
I know in China it is legally required for foreigners to carry a passport at all times for random checks. But is it strictly enforced at the Great Wall and Forbidden City?
Do they check a physical passport for ticketing and entry? I booked tickets online and it asked for my passport number. Will a photocopy or a photo on my phone work, or do I need to carry the original?
I am worried about carrying it in crowded places but also do not want to get denied entry. Thanks!
Comments (2)
Although this is strictly required from a legal standpoint, in practice, you will not be asked to show your passport for no reason most of the time — except at high-security checkpoints like train stations or airports where the original document is mandatory. China is relatively relaxed in this regard.
If you have a photo or a QR code of your ticket, you usually do not need to present your physical passport; a photo on your phone is usually enough. Rules are rules, but enforcement is another story.
Yes, carrying your original physical passport is mandatory for both the Great Wall (major official sections such as Badaling and Mutianyu) and the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) for foreign visitors.
Key points
- Both sites operate under a real-name ticketing system. Your ticket reservation is linked to the passport number used when booking.
- Photos, screenshots or photocopies of your passport are not accepted at entrance gates. You must show the actual passport booklet for verification or scanning.
- The name and passport number on your booking must exactly match the details printed on your physical passport; typos can stop you from entering.
- For the Forbidden City, there are no on-site walk-up tickets. Reserve in advance and present your original passport for entry at Meridian Gate.
- For popular Great Wall sections, pre-booking is also required, and original passport checks can apply at entry or ticket-purchase points.
Practical tip: Always bring the same physical passport you used to make reservations. Even with a booking-confirmation screenshot, you may be denied entry without the original document.