Why visitors come
- UNESCO imperial sites (Palace Museum, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace)
- National Museum and central-axis landmarks
- Major international hub (PEK/PKX)
Know before you book
City-wide rules for foreigners
Carry original passport for real-name attractions and hotel check-in.
Many municipal parks sell on-site to foreigners when online Chinese-phone registration fails (Beijing 12345 / Visit Beijing guidance).
Alipay/WeChat Pay with foreign cards widely needed; cash less common.
10 booking guides
Attractions in Beijing
Book these first
Release times are Beijing time (UTC+8).
Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
故宫博物院
Official website (English)
20:00 · 7 days ahead
Reservation requiredSells out often
National Museum of China
中国国家博物馆
Official website (English)
17:00 · 7 days ahead
Reservation requiredSells out often
Tiananmen Square
天安门广场
Official WeChat mini-program (天安门广场预约参观)
12:00 · 1–7 days ahead
Reservation requiredCan sell out
Chairman Mao Memorial Hall
毛主席纪念堂
Official website
12:30 · 1–6 days ahead
Reservation requiredCan sell out
Mutianyu Great Wall
慕田峪长城
Official website (English)
Up to 15 days ahead
Booking recommended
Badaling Great Wall
八达岭长城
Trip.com
Booking recommended
Temple of Heaven
天坛公园
Ticket office on site
Walk-up usually OK
Summer Palace
颐和园
Ticket office on site
Walk-up usually OK
Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple)
雍和宫
Ticket office on site
Booking recommendedCan sell out
Jingshan Park
景山公园
Ticket office on site
Walk-up usually OK
Compare release rules at a glance
| Attraction | Book ahead? | Primary channel | Release rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forbidden City (Palace Museum) | Yes — book ahead | Official website (English) | 20:00 Beijing time, 7 days ahead; no same-day tickets (official) |
| National Museum of China | Yes — book ahead | Official website (English) | Vouchers released daily at 17:00 Beijing time, up to 7 days ahead. Limit: 1 booking per account per week. |
| Tiananmen Square | Yes — book ahead | Official WeChat mini-program (天安门广场预约参观) | Book 1–7 days ahead; available dates update daily at 12:00 Beijing time (noon). No same-day booking. |
| Chairman Mao Memorial Hall | Yes — book ahead | Official website | 1–6 days ahead; daily release at 12:30 Beijing time; no same-day booking. |
| Mutianyu Great Wall | Recommended | Official website (English) | Bookable up to 15 days ahead on the official site; one ticket per ID per day. |
| Badaling Great Wall | Recommended | Trip.com | Book ahead on Trip.com for weekends and holidays; on weekdays the ticket window usually works. Sources differ — see below. |
| Temple of Heaven | No — buy or walk in on the day | Ticket office on site | No reservation required if the park isn't full on the day. |
| Summer Palace | No — buy or walk in on the day | Ticket office on site | No reservation required: buy at the comprehensive service window at the gate. |
| Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple) | Recommended | Ticket office on site | Online through the official WeChat account 雍和宫游客信众服务 (historically up to about 10 days ahead). |
| Jingshan Park | No — buy or walk in on the day | Ticket office on site | No reservation required; on-site at park gates. Optional online 1–7 days via 畅游公园 / Visiting Beijing Parks |
Sources for Beijing
- english.beijing.gov.cnVisit Beijing ticketing portal for many scenic spots · accessed 6 Oct 2026
- our-beijing.comforeigner booking overview citing Visit Beijing · accessed 6 Oct 2026
- reddit.com2025–26 traveler itinerary including Beijing among top cities · accessed 6 Oct 2026