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Beijing Attractions Ticket Booking Guide for Foreigners: Must-Reserve Spots

Beijing, a city steeped in millennia of history, boasts countless world-famous attractions—but its popularity comes with a catch: most sites enforce daily visitor limits. For foreign travelers, understanding which spots require advance booking is crucial to avoid missing out on iconic experiences. This Beijing Attractions Ticket Booking Guide for Foreigners breaks down the most in-demand sites, their reservation rules, and tips to secure your entry.


1. The Palace Museum (Forbidden City): The Toughest Ticket to Secure

As Beijing’s most popular attraction, the Palace Museum strictly limits daily visitors and only sells tickets via its official website (www.dpm.org.cn) 7 days in advance—tickets often sell out within minutes (dubbed “flash sales”). This poses a major challenge for foreign travelers unfamiliar with the booking process.

Thankfully, third-party services like DolphinUnion offer reservation assistance: they handle the booking on your behalf, and provide a full refund if the reservation fails. If all else fails, you can try your luck with same-day “walk-up 补票 (supplementary tickets)” at the Palace Museum’s on-site ticket office—though availability is extremely limited, especially during peak seasons (spring/autumn).

Golden lion statue faces red-walled palace with ornate roof. Stone railings and blue sky enhance the majestic setting. People walk below.
Forbidden City

2. Tiananmen Square: Free Entry, But Reservation Required

Tiananmen Square itself is free to enter, but you must book an entry permit via its official website 7 days in advance. The permit is mandatory for all visitors (including foreigners) and is used to manage crowd flow. When booking, you’ll need to provide your passport information and select a preferred entry time slot (morning/afternoon). Arrive 15–20 minutes early with your printed permit and passport for verification.

Aerial view of a vibrant cityscape featuring historical architecture and lush gardens, with a clear blue sky and bustling urban background.
Tiananmen Square

3. Mausoleum of Mao Zedong: Strict Quota & Short Booking Window

With a daily visitor limit of just 2,000 people, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong is another hard-to-book site. Reservations open via its official WeChat mini-program 3 days in advance, usually at 8:00 AM Beijing time. The mini-program has a Chinese interface, so foreign travelers may need to use translation tools (like Google Translate) or ask for help from hotel staff. Note: The mausoleum is closed on Mondays, and entry is only allowed in the morning (8:00–12:00).

Illuminated building at dusk with ornate lights. Trees line the entrance. Sign with Chinese text above door, clear sky in background.
Mausoleum of Mao Zedong

4. Great Hall of the People: Official Mini-Program Booking

To visit the Great Hall of the People (where China’s key political events are held), book via its official WeChat mini-program 5 days in advance. You can choose between guided tours (which include access to the main hall and exhibition areas) or self-guided visits. Foreigners must present their passports and printed booking confirmation upon entry. The hall is closed on weekends and national holidays, so plan your visit accordingly.

Grand building front with tall columns, red flags atop, and a national emblem. Clear sky background and gold-framed doors below.
Great Hall of the People

5. National Museum of China: 7-Day Advance Booking on Official Site

The National Museum of China, home to over 1.4 million cultural relics, requires booking via its official website (www.chnmuseum.cn) 7 days in advance. You’ll need to select a time slot (9:00–12:00, 13:30–16:00) and provide your passport details. While tickets are free, they still sell out quickly during peak travel times—book as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.

Large plaza with a tall monument, scattered people, and a grand building with columns in the background. Bright skies and cityscape visible.
National Museum of China

6. Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower: Official Website Reservation

Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower, a landmark gate overlooking Tiananmen Square, offers tickets via its official website 5 days in advance. The tower’s observation deck provides panoramic views of the square and surrounding historic buildings. Tickets are affordable (around ¥20) and less competitive than the Palace Museum, but advance booking is still recommended to skip on-site queues.

Historic Chinese building with green roofs, busy street in foreground with buses and trees. Blue sign and clear sky create a calm atmosphere.
Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower

Easier-to-Book Beijing Attractions (Beijing Attractions Ticket Booking Guide for Foreigners)

Not all Beijing sites require a fight for tickets—these popular spots are easier to reserve via third-party platforms like Trip.com:

  • Summer Palace: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with lakes and gardens; book 3–5 days in advance.

  • Temple of Heaven: A sacred imperial complex; tickets available on Trip.com with instant confirmation.

  • Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan): Ruins of the imperial garden; same-day booking is often possible.

  • Great Wall Sections (Mutianyu, Badaling, Jinshanling): All bookable on Trip.com, with options for combo tickets (entry + cable car).


This Beijing Attractions Ticket Booking Guide for Foreigners simplifies the reservation process for the city’s most sought-after sites. Remember: For high-demand spots like the Palace Museum and Mao Zedong Mausoleum, start booking the moment the reservation window opens—or use trusted third-party services to avoid disappointment. With proper planning, you’ll get to experience Beijing’s historic charm without missing a beat.

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