China Attractions

Yes. Popular sites—such as the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army, Shanghai Museum, and Suzhou’s classical gardens—use a real-name online reservation system. Tickets for peak days often sell out several days ahead. Most places accept bookings through their official English websites or through platforms commonly used by international travelers, such as Ctrip.

Museum-type attractions (like the Forbidden City or the National Museum of China) enforce strict time-slot entry. Arriving late may require re-queuing or even repurchasing tickets. Natural attractions tend to be more flexible, but cable cars and shuttle buses still operate on fixed schedules.

Yes, but some small shops and food stalls prefer mobile payment. It’s best to carry a few small banknotes (RMB 10–50) in case internet connection is weak or a vendor cannot process foreign cards.

Large attractions have plenty of restrooms, but toilet paper is usually not provided. Bring tissues or wet wipes. In mountain or nature parks, restrooms can be spaced far apart, so it’s wise to use facilities near the entrance before starting your visit.

Major attractions in big cities typically offer English audio guides, maps, or staff assistance. However, English information is limited in smaller cities and nature parks. Many travelers rely on English audio guide services provided by international-friendly travel apps for additional context.

Food inside major attractions is usually limited and more expensive than normal (often 20–40% higher). Bringing water and a few light snacks is helpful, and energy bars or nuts are especially useful if you’re visiting mountain parks like Huangshan or Zhangjiajie.

Most attractions allow photography, but museums, exhibition halls, and temples usually have restrictions. Check the signs at each entrance and avoid taking photos where it is prohibited. Many indoor galleries also ban the use of flash to protect artifacts.