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First Time in Beijing: Forbidden City Booking, Great Wall & Hutong Guide

Essential checklist for first-time visitors to Beijing: real-name passport reservation rules for the Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall transit, and Peking Duck dining.

Quick Answer & Essential Rules

1

Forbidden City tickets release 7 days in advance at 20:00 CST and sell out in minutes; book via WeChat Mini-program.

2

Mutianyu is the best Great Wall section with cable car up and thrilling toboggan slide down.

3

Physical passport is mandatory for entering all Beijing historic sights and train stations.

4

Siji Minfu near Donghuamen serves unbeatable crispy-skin Peking duck overlooking the moat.

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Attractions & Gate

Passport Gate Entry Channel

Show to scenic spot or museum gate attendant

Hello, I booked ticket using foreign passport. Which lane is for manual passport entry?
你好,我是用护照预订的门票,请问护照人工通道在哪里?谢谢!
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ shì yòng hù zhào yù dìng de mén piào, qǐng wèn hù zhào rén gōng tōng dào zài nǎ lǐ?

Points you toward manual check-in counter when automated turnstiles fail.

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Other Top China Travel Questions