Passport mistakes when booking tickets in Beijing

Beijing’s main sights use real-name tickets: your passport is the ticket, so a passport mistake can cost you a visit you already booked. These are the typical mistakes and how to avoid them. The booking steps are on our Forbidden City tickets page.

1. Bringing a different passport

Bring the same physical passport you used to book: the name and number must match. Dual nationals should decide which passport they travel with before booking, and use that one everywhere.

2. Renewing your passport after booking

A new passport with a different number is refused: your booking must match the passport you bring. If your passport expires soon, renew it before you book, or rebook with the new number.

3. Two people on one passport

The rule is one ticket per passport per day. Each visitor, including children, needs their own passport details in the booking.

4. Typos in the passport number

Your passport is scanned at the Meridian Gate; there is no paper ticket, so the number in the booking must match exactly. Check letters that look like numbers (O and 0, I and 1) before you pay.

5. Leaving the passport at the hotel

• Forbidden City: bring the same physical passport you used to book: the name and number must match.
• Great Wall at Mutianyu: tickets are real-name and can be booked up to 30 days ahead, with one admission per passport per day; bring your original passport.
• Temple of Heaven: keep the passport you booked with on you during the visit.

Make it a habit: passport in your bag every day in Beijing.

6. Letting a third party type your details

If a tour company or friend books for you, send a clear photo of the passport page and check the confirmation they send back, letter by letter.

Related

• How to book Forbidden City tickets for foreigners
• Forbidden City tours (the tour company books entry with your passport details)