Book ahead

Part of Before you go, a sourced pre-trip guide for a first visit to Shanghai. Checked 2026-10-05; rules change, so each step links to its source. Data version 7aa0fecd1904.

Book first: 7 of our 50 places — Places in this guide to book before you go; each place page says how.

Big museums sell named, timed tickets online, often about 7 days ahead, and popular dates can go in minutes. Most streets, parks and temples are walk-in, but 7 of our 50 places need booking; each place page says which. Book with the passport you will carry.

In short

Book first: 7 of our 50 places

Book at peak times

Big museums: named, timed tickets, about 7 days ahead

1. Popular museums sell a fixed number of real-name tickets for a date and time slot.

2. Sales usually open 7 days ahead; Shanghai Museum's Americas exhibition opens next month's tickets at 12:00 on the 1st.

3. Weekends, school holidays and national holidays go first.

4. Book with the passport you will carry; it is checked at the gate.

Sources: Shanghai Natural History Museum, Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Museum

Most of our places are walk-in; some book first

1. Most streets, parks, temples and galleries in this guide are walk-in.

2. The lists on this page come from each place's booking section and change with it.

3. Shanghai Museum East is walk-in; the People's Square building needs a ticket until 14 Nov 2027.

4. Some walk-in places need booking at peak times, such as Yu Garden during the Lantern Festival.

Sources: China Footnotes place data (internal), Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Municipal People's Government

Trains: sales open 15 days ahead

1. 12306 sells tickets 15 days ahead, counting the travel day.

2. Around Chinese New Year, Labour Day and National Day, peak-day tickets sell out fast.

3. Sold out? Join 12306's waitlist (候补, houbu).

4. Rail tickets and boarding need your passport.

Sources: China Railway 12306, UK FCDO

Beijing and Xi'an: book the big sights early

1. Forbidden City: real-name tickets online only, no ticket office; passports accepted.

2. National Museum of China: free, but book up to 7 days ahead; slots are released daily at 17:00.

3. Terracotta Warriors: book on the official website or WeChat; third parties are not authorised.

Sources: The Palace Museum, National Museum of China, Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

Traveller tips

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