How to Book Attraction Tickets in China as a Foreigner (2026): Trip.com, WeChat, and Official Methods

China is full of places that look like they were designed to break your assumptions about travel:

• ancient temples with QR-code entrances
• museums that require timed reservations days in advance
• scenic parks where the “ticket” is your passport number
• attractions that sell out quietly, without obvious warning

For many first-time visitors, the most frustrating moment isn’t the Great Wall or the subway. It’s standing outside an attraction thinking:

“How do I buy a ticket when everything is in Chinese?”

This guide is built for that exact moment. It’s not a list of random booking websites. It’s a decision system:

• what to use when you want the fastest, most foreigner-friendly option
• what to do when the attraction only sells via a WeChat mini-program
• how to avoid scams and fake tickets
• how to book tickets that require实名制 (real-name verification)

Quick Answer

For most foreigners, the easiest way to book attraction tickets in China is:

1. Use Trip.com for major attractions and timed tickets when available (most foreigner-friendly, accepts international cards).
2. Use Klook (and similar international platforms) for popular tourist attractions, especially when official systems are Chinese-only.
3. If the attraction requires an official WeChat mini-program or official Chinese app, you may need:
   • a working WeChat account
   • a payment method (WeChat Pay/Alipay)
   • sometimes a Chinese phone number (varies)

If you’re stuck at the gate, do not buy from random street sellers. Use official sources or your hotel concierge.

If you want the bigger “China internet reality” context, read: China Firewall Test 2025.

Table of Contents

• Why Booking Tickets in China Feels Different
• The 4 Ways Tickets Are Sold (And Which One You Should Use)
• Method 1: Trip.com (Best for Most Foreigners)
• Method 2: International Platforms (Klook, GetYourGuide, Viator)
• Method 3: Official WeChat Mini-Programs (Common, Powerful, Sometimes Painful)
• Method 4: On-Site Ticketing (When It Works, When It Doesn’t)
• Real-Name Tickets (实名制): What It Means for Foreigners
• Refunds, Cancellations, and “I Missed My Time Slot”
• Avoiding Scams: The Ticket Traps Tourists Fall For
• A Simple Booking Checklist (Copy-Paste)
• FAQ
• Related Resources

Why Booking Tickets in China Feels Different

In many countries, ticketing is:

• show up
• pay at the counter
• walk in

China is increasingly:

• reserve online
• pick a time slot
• show your passport (or QR code linked to your passport)
• enter through automated gates

This is not “anti-foreigner.” It’s how China runs at scale. Popular attractions serve millions of visitors per year. Online ticketing and real-name systems reduce overcrowding and reselling.

The key terms you’ll see

Even if you don’t read Chinese, recognizing a few ticket words helps:

Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning
门票	ménpiào	ticket/admission
预约	yùyuē	reservation (often timed)
实名制	shímíngzhì	real-name system (ID/passport-linked)
取票	qǔpiào	ticket pickup (less common now, still appears)
退票	tuìpiào	refund
改签	gǎiqiān	change (ticket change/reschedule)

If your ticket screen is in Chinese, screenshot it and use a translation workflow: Best Translation Apps for China (2026).

The 4 Ways Tickets Are Sold (And Which One You Should Use)

Here’s the decision tree most foreigners should follow.

1) Use Trip.com if it’s available

Trip.com is often the least painful for foreigners because it:

• accepts international cards
• supports passports for many bookings
• has an English UI

2) Use Klook/GetYourGuide/Viator for big tourist attractions (especially when official systems are Chinese-only)

International platforms can be worth it because:

• English interface
• clear instructions
• QR code delivery
• customer support in English

3) Use the official WeChat mini-program when that’s the only option

Many attractions push visitors to official mini-programs for:

• reservations
• identity-linked tickets
• time slots

You can use them as a foreigner, but you need the right setup.

4) Buy on-site only when you’re confident it won’t sell out

Some attractions still sell at the gate. But many popular ones do not. Treat on-site ticketing as:

• a backup for less popular attractions
• a risk for anything famous or holiday-season

Method 1: Trip.com (Best for Most Foreigners)

Trip.com is the “default answer” for a reason: it’s built to take foreign passports and international cards more reliably than many local systems.

When Trip.com is the best choice

Use Trip.com when:

• you need an English UI
• you want to pay with an international card
• you’re booking trains + hotels + attraction tickets in one ecosystem
• you want simple refunds and clear policies (still read the fine print)

Trip.com is also excellent for trains: How to Buy China Train Tickets as a Foreigner.

How to book attraction tickets on Trip.com (step-by-step)

The exact UI changes, but the flow is usually:

1. Search for the attraction by name
2. Choose your date (and time slot if required)
3. Enter traveler details (passport name/number)
4. Pay
5. Receive confirmation and entry instructions (QR code or passport-linked)

What to check before you pay (the “don’t get burned” list)

Before checkout, check:

• Date (China uses local time; watch the calendar)
• Time slot (some attractions will not allow late entry)
• Passport name spelling (match your passport exactly)
• Refund rules (some are non-refundable)
• Entry method (QR code vs passport)

Common Trip.com pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

Pitfall 1: booking the wrong branch/location

Big attractions often have multiple entrances or branches. Always confirm:

• city and district
• address (Chinese is best)

Pitfall 2: assuming “ticket” includes everything

Some scenic areas sell separate tickets for:

• the park entrance
• shuttle buses inside the park
• cable cars
• special exhibits

Read the inclusion list carefully, especially for scenic areas.

Pitfall 3: underestimating holiday demand

China’s major holidays can sell out fast. If you’re traveling during:

• Chinese New Year
• National Day (Golden Week)
• summer peak season

Book earlier than you think.

Method 2: International Platforms (Klook, GetYourGuide, Viator)

International platforms can be the easiest option for foreign travelers, especially when:

• the official system is Chinese-only
• the attraction requires a local payment method
• the attraction has confusing pickup/entry instructions

When to use an international platform

Use Klook/GetYourGuide/Viator when:

• you want instant QR code delivery
• you want English customer support
• you want a “tourist-proof” booking experience

You’ll see these platforms referenced in some of our attraction guides, for example:

• Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge often offers Klook options: Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge Guide
• Hong Kong attractions often use Klook for foreigners: Hong Kong Palace Museum (Shenzhen Day Trip)

The trade-off: you often pay for convenience

International platforms can be more expensive than official pricing because they add:

• service fees
• currency conversion
• bundled “skip-the-line” features

For many travelers, it’s still worth it because time and certainty matter more than saving a few dollars.

What to verify on international platforms

Before buying, verify:

• entry requirements (passport? ID?)
• exact date/time slot rules
• what is included (entry only vs entry + shuttle vs entry + cable car)
• how you enter (QR code scan, voucher exchange, passport)

Method 3: Official WeChat Mini-Programs (Common, Powerful, Sometimes Painful)

If you travel in China long enough, you will eventually run into a ticketing system that says:

“Please book via WeChat.”

WeChat mini-programs are “apps inside WeChat.” Many official attractions use them because:

• they can enforce real-name reservations
• they can deliver QR codes quickly
• they reduce ticket scalping

When you’re forced into WeChat

Common cases:

• museums with timed entry
• attractions that require实名制 reservations
• local city tourism platforms

Some attractions explicitly recommend their official mini-program (examples appear across the site, like Panda Base or scenic areas).

What you need for WeChat ticketing

This is the realistic checklist:

• A working WeChat account (set up before travel if possible)
• The ability to navigate Chinese UI (translation workflow)
• A payment method that works (WeChat Pay or Alipay)
• Sometimes: a Chinese phone number (varies by mini-program and city)

WeChat setup basics: WeChat Pay for Foreigners (2025).

Phone number reality: Do I Need a Chinese Phone Number?.

How mini-program booking typically works

Even though each mini-program differs, many follow this pattern:

1. Open WeChat and search for the official mini-program name
2. Select tickets (门票) and date
3. Choose a time slot (预约)
4. Add traveler info (passport)
5. Pay
6. Receive a QR code, or a reservation record linked to your passport

Common mini-program pain points (and fixes)

Pain point 1: everything is in Chinese

Fix:

• screenshot + translate
• recognize key words like 门票 (ticket), 预约 (reservation), 退票 (refund)

Pain point 2: requires a Chinese phone number

Fix options (in order of sanity):

1. use Trip.com/Klook instead (if available)
2. ask your hotel concierge to book for you
3. if you’re staying longer, get a Chinese SIM (often the most stable path)

Pain point 3: payment fails for foreigners

Fix:

• set up WeChat Pay and Alipay in advance if possible
• keep both installed; if one fails, the other may work

Alipay setup: Alipay Setup Guide.

WeChat mini-program tickets: how entry usually works

There are two main entry styles:

1. QR code scan at the gate
2. Passport scan at the gate (ticket tied to your passport)

Always screenshot your reservation record as backup. In crowded places, you don’t want to be searching for the mini-program screen while a line forms behind you.

Method 4: On-Site Ticketing (When It Works, When It Doesn’t)

Buying at the gate can work for:

• less famous attractions
• smaller museums
• scenic areas in off-season

Buying at the gate can fail for:

• famous museums
• attractions with strict capacity limits
• peak season and holidays

The simplest rule

If an attraction is famous enough that tourists in your home country talk about it, assume it might require online booking.

If you arrive without a ticket

If you arrive and there’s no obvious ticket counter:

• ask staff “门票在哪里买？” (Where to buy tickets?)
• look for signage referencing “预约” (reservation) or WeChat
• open Trip.com/Klook immediately and search the attraction

If all else fails, ask your hotel concierge to help. For many foreigners, hotel staff are the fastest “human API” for Chinese-only systems.

Booking by Attraction Type (Museums vs Scenic Areas vs City Sights)

Not all “attractions” behave the same way. The booking friction depends on the type.

Museums (often strict, often timed)

Museums in major cities commonly require:

• reservations (预约) with time slots
• 实名制 (passport-linked tickets)

Best methods:

• Trip.com when it offers museum tickets/time slots
• official mini-program when that’s required

Practical advice:

• book earlier than you think (weekends sell faster)
• arrive early (security lines)
• keep your passport on you

Scenic areas / national parks (often multi-ticket, multi-transport)

Scenic areas often have layered pricing:

• entry ticket
• shuttle bus ticket
• cable car ticket
• special zone tickets (glass bridges, temples, viewpoints)

Best methods:

• Trip.com for convenience and clear English instructions
• official systems when you need exact control of the bundle

Practical advice:

• read what’s included (entry-only vs entry + shuttle)
• screenshot everything (some parks have poor signal)
• assume there are multiple gates—save the correct gate location in your map app

City sights (often flexible, sometimes on-site works)

Some city sights still allow walk-up ticketing.

But the “famous ones” may still require reservations.

Practical advice:

• if it’s iconic or trending on social media, assume online booking is required
• if you’re traveling in peak season, assume sell-outs are possible

Real-Name Tickets (实名制): What It Means for Foreigners

实名制 means “real-name system.” In practice:

• tickets are linked to an ID number (passport for foreigners)
• you may need to enter your full name as on passport
• you may need to show your passport at entry

Why China uses实名制 for attractions

It reduces:

• ticket scalping
• fake tickets
• overcrowding beyond capacity

How foreigners should handle实名制 smoothly

1. Use the exact name format shown on your passport.
2. Bring your passport to the attraction (do not leave it at the hotel if you’re doing实名制 attractions).
3. Screenshot your booking confirmation or reservation record.

What if my passport name order confuses the system?

Some systems assume Chinese name ordering. If you see separate fields:

• Surname/Family name
• Given name

Use the passport’s machine-readable line as your truth. If you’re unsure, Trip.com and international platforms tend to handle this better than some local mini-programs.

Preparing Payments for Ticketing (What Actually Makes Booking Easier)

Ticket booking gets dramatically smoother if you can pay like a local.

The two payment rails that matter most

• Alipay (often easiest for tourists)
• WeChat Pay (essential if you rely on WeChat mini-programs)

If you haven’t set them up yet:

• Alipay Setup Guide
• WeChat Pay for Foreigners

Why this matters for tickets

Even if Trip.com accepts international cards, official systems often prefer:

• Alipay inside the official app/mini-program
• WeChat Pay inside WeChat

If your payment isn’t ready, you can still book via international platforms—but you lose access to some official reservation-only tickets.

Mini “Chinese Phrases” That Help When You’re Stuck at the Gate

You don’t need to speak Chinese to use these. Put them in your Notes app and show your screen.

Phrase	Chinese	When to use
Where to buy tickets?	门票在哪里买？	You can’t find ticket purchase
I have a reservation	我有预约	You booked online
Can I enter now?	现在可以进吗？	You’re early/late
I’m a foreigner (passport)	我是外国人，用护照	Ticket is passport-linked
Refund / change	退票 / 改签	You need refund/change

Refunds, Cancellations, and “I Missed My Time Slot”

China ticket rules vary by attraction, but patterns exist.

Timed entry attractions are stricter

If you miss your time slot:

• some attractions will not let you enter
• some may allow entry later if not crowded
• some require rebooking entirely

Treat timed tickets like train tickets: arrive early.

Always read the cancellation window

Common patterns:

• free cancellation up to a certain time the day before
• partial refund
• non-refundable tickets

What to do if you miss a time slot

1. Try the gate anyway (polite, calm). Sometimes staff can help if capacity allows.
2. If it’s a platform booking (Trip.com/Klook), check the change/refund policy immediately.
3. If it’s official mini-program, look for 退票 (refund) or 改签 (change).

If you’re running late because of transport, learn the “China arrival logistics” basics: Arriving in China: First 2 Hours.

Avoiding Scams: The Ticket Traps Tourists Fall For

China is generally safe, but tourist areas still have scams—especially around tickets.

Trap 1: “I can get you tickets” near the entrance

Avoid street sellers and unofficial agents. Even if it’s not a scam, it’s risky:

• fake tickets
• wrong date/time
• overpriced “VIP” packages

Trap 2: fake QR codes

If a seller shows you a QR code on a random phone, you have no idea if it will work at the gate.

Use official sources:

• attraction ticket office
• official website/mini-program
• Trip.com/Klook

Trap 3: “This is the official ticket” from a random website

Many sites look official. If you can’t verify the source, don’t pay.

Our scam guide: China Tourist Scams to Avoid.

A Simple Booking Checklist (Copy-Paste)

Use this checklist before any major attraction.

Before booking

• Is this attraction famous / capacity-limited? (Assume online booking required.)
• Do I need a time slot (预约)?
• Is it real-name (实名制)? Do I have my passport with me?
• What’s the entry method (QR code vs passport)?

Choose the method

• Trip.com first
• Klook/GetYourGuide second
• Official mini-program only if needed
• On-site only if low-risk

After booking

• Screenshot confirmation / QR code
• Save attraction name in Chinese
• Save the address/pin in a map app (Baidu/Amap/Apple)

For maps and navigation:

• Apple Maps in China (2026)
• Baidu Maps in English (2025)
• Amap/Gaode in English (2026)

FAQ

Can foreigners buy tickets in China without WeChat?

Often, yes—via Trip.com, Klook, or on-site for some attractions. But some official systems heavily prefer WeChat mini-programs, especially for reservations and实名制 entry.

Do I need a Chinese phone number to book tickets?

Not always. Some platforms accept international numbers; some mini-programs require Chinese numbers. If you don’t have one, use Trip.com/Klook first or ask your hotel concierge to help.

Are tickets usually QR codes?

Sometimes. Many attractions use QR codes or passport-linked entry. Always follow your confirmation instructions and keep a screenshot backup.

What if I lose my passport?

It’s a serious problem because many tickets and hotel check-ins require your passport. Use our step-by-step guide: Lost Passport in China.

Final Thoughts

Booking attraction tickets in China is easy once you stop trying to force a “Western” workflow onto a Chinese system.

Use Trip.com when possible, use international platforms when official systems are painful, and treat WeChat mini-programs as a tool—not a surprise.

If you prepare the basics (WeChat/Alipay, translation workflow, screenshots), you’ll spend less time fighting ticket systems and more time actually enjoying the places you came to see.

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Related Resources

• China Tourist Scams to Avoid
• WeChat Pay for Foreigners (2025)
• Alipay Setup Guide
• Best Translation Apps for China (2026)

Planning your China trip? The China Survival Kit includes step-by-step setup guides, checklists, and travel tools that work in China.

Last updated: January 2026