Attraction tickets in Chengdu
Almost every major attraction now requires a timed online reservation, often days ahead.
Last reviewed for the 2026 season · Attraction tickets across all of China →
In Chengdu specifically
- In Chengdu, the headline sites are: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, People’s Park teahouse, Wuhou Shrine and Jinli Street, Wide and Narrow Alleys.
- Chengdu's busiest months are March, April, May — book timed entry 3–7 days ahead, longer over public holidays.
- Carry your passport to every attraction; it is checked against your booking at the gate.
What everyone needs to know
- Major sites — Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, Mogao Caves, Zhangjiajie, Huangshan — sell timed slots and sell out.
- Many require real-name registration, so your passport number must be entered correctly at booking.
- Book on the official WeChat mini-program or the attraction’s own site where possible; third-party resellers add cost and risk.
- Free-admission sites still require a booking to control numbers.
The numbers
| Item | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Forbidden City | ¥60 peak / ¥40 off-peak, free on some days |
| Terracotta Army | ¥120 |
| Mogao Caves | ¥238 for the full ticket |
| Booking lead time | 3–7 days, longer for holidays |
Do it in this order
- Identify the ticketing channel for each site before your trip and register your passport.
- Book the earliest slot you can tolerate — crowds build through the day and photos are impossible by noon.
- Carry your physical passport: it is checked against the booking at the gate.
- Keep screenshots of QR codes in case mobile data fails at the entrance.
Mistakes that cost money or time
- Arriving at the Forbidden City without a reservation — walk-in tickets no longer exist.
- Booking under a nickname or variant passport spelling.
- Relying on a reseller and paying 3× the official price.
Check it at the source
Questions people actually ask
- Are the tickets refundable?
- Most allow cancellation a day ahead, but check each site — policies differ and some are non-refundable in peak season.
- Can someone else book with my passport number?
- Yes, and this is common, but the person whose passport is registered must be the one who enters.
More about Chengdu
- Getting around
- Money & costs
- Apps you need
- Visa & entry
- Payment & money apps
- eSIM & connectivity
- Safety
- High-speed rail
- Food & eating
- Hotels & booking
- Language & communication