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Travel Guide

Practical Guide to Booking Popular Tourist Spots: How to Snag Tickets for the Forbidden City, Mogao Caves, and Jiuzhaigou

All major tourist attractions in China are fully implementing real-name visitor limits. This article explains the ticket release times, channels, and standby tips for the Forbidden City, Mogao Caves, Jiuzhaigou, Zhangjiajie, and the Terracotta Warriors, as well as alternative plans if you can't get tickets.

Updated on 2026-10-28

First, understand this: Ticket limits are strict constraints

The daily visitor capacity of China's top-tier scenic spots is written into the management regulations; it is not a matter of "admitting more people if it gets crowded." The Palace Museum issues 80,000 tickets per day, the Mogao Caves typically issue 6,000 tickets per day, and Jiuzhaigou issues 41,000 tickets per day during peak season. Once they're sold out, they're sold out. Therefore, "booking in advance" is not a suggestion; it is a prerequisite for whether the trip can happen.

The five most difficult scenic spots to book

  • The Palace Museum: The official mini program "Palace Museum Visitor Service" releases tickets 7 days in advance, every night at 20:00 for tickets 7 days ahead. Closed on Mondays (except public holidays). During peak season, tickets sell out in 5-10 minutes, so it's recommended to set an alarm.
  • Mogao Caves: Tickets are available 30 days in advance via the official website and mini program, divided into Type A tickets (8 caves + two digital films) and Type B tickets (4 caves). During peak season (May–October), Type A tickets often sell out by noon on the day of release, so booking immediately is essential; Type B tickets may still be available on-site that day.
  • Jiuzhaigou: Tickets available 14 days in advance via the official mini program "Jiuzhaigou." During peak season, entry is time-slot-based. You can enter only at the time slot you purchase; late arrivals will not be accommodated.
  • Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan: Tickets are valid for four days, purchasable on-site or online, but for secondary attractions like "Bailong Elevator" and "Tianzi Mountain Cableway," it's recommended to buy online first; peak onsite queues are from 9:00 to 11:00.
  • Terracotta Warriors of Emperor Qin: Tickets available 7 days in advance via the official mini program. In the off-season, purchasing on-site is fine; during peak season and weekends, online booking is recommended.

The schedule pattern for ticket release

The vast majority of scenic spots use the model of "releasing tickets N days in advance at a fixed time." N is usually 7, 14, or 30 days; release times are mostly at 00:00 or 20:00 that day. Practically, the most reliable approach is to make a list before departure, showing all scenic spots you need to book, their release dates, and release times, and set them as reminders on your phone. Travelers across time zones should pay special attention: the "20:00" mentioned here is Beijing Time, not your phone's current time zone.

Three pitfalls of real-name booking

  • ID must match the booking: If you book with a Taiwan Compatriot Permit, bring your Taiwan Compatriot Permit; if you book with a passport, bring your passport. You cannot enter if you switch IDs at the last minute.
  • One person, one ID, one ticket: Children also need a spot, and infants also need to be registered. Many people only book for adults, and then children can't enter on-site.
  • Companions should book together: Booking separately may result in being assigned to different time slots, and entry times may not match.

What to do if you can't get a ticket

  • Waitlist: Places like the Forbidden City and Jiuzhaigou have a waitlist system; canceled tickets will be released. The first 24 hours after tickets go on sale is the peak time for cancellations, and this is the best time to try.
  • Change the time of day: The Forbidden City has noticeably fewer visitors from Tuesday to Thursday compared to weekends; the afternoon session at Mogao Caves is easier to book than the morning session.
  • Switch to a similar attraction: If you can't get tickets to Mogao Caves, you can visit Yulin Caves (east route, fewer people, murals of a similar quality); if you can't get tickets to the Forbidden City, you can visit the Temple of Heaven and the National Museum first, then try the waitlist for the Forbidden City later in the itinerary.
  • Use local resources: Certified guides and accredited travel agencies have group ticket quotas and are a legal channel, but make sure to choose qualified operators.

Refunds, changes, and weather

Most attractions allow free refunds up to 24 hours before opening. High-altitude and mountainous attractions (Jiuzhaigou, Zhangjiajie, Huangshan, Huashan) may temporarily close due to extreme weather; in these cases, full refunds are usually issued. For itinerary planning, place these attractions in the middle of the schedule rather than the last day, so that in the event of closures, there is room to reschedule.