im having a lot of trouble reserving tickets

Question

forbidden palace, temple of heaven, summer palace.. i cant get any. So far, i only got national museum of china.

Forbidden palace I have been trying every day at 8 PM when tickets are released and I make it to the end when i click "confirm and submit" and then the page just refreshes... I can't get tickets to temple of heaven and summer palace either.. I have tried both phone and computer, and four different browsers... do i just have to pay the premium and buy on klook or some other third party site? It's so frustrating that i am not able to buy tickets even though i'm filling everything out the moment tickets are supposed to be released.

Answer

Hi,

Booking popular attractions like the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace can be extremely challenging, especially for peak travel times. Many visitors experience the exact frustration you’re describing due to high demand and technical limitations on the official ticketing sites.

Here’s some advice based on others’ experiences:

Official Websites: Tickets are released at a specific time (usually 8:00 AM or 8:00 PM, depending on the site). The high traffic often causes page refreshes, slow responses, or errors at the final confirmation step. Using multiple browsers or devices can sometimes help, but it’s not guaranteed.
Timing and Preparation: For the Forbidden City, you must register with a Chinese phone number for SMS verification. Make sure all personal information is correct before the release time. Being logged in ahead of time and refreshing right at ticket release is critical.
Third-Party Platforms: Klook, Trip.com, Viator, or GetYourGuide usually have reserved blocks of tickets and provide English-language support. Yes, they often charge a small premium, but it significantly increases your chances of securing tickets without the technical hassle.
Alternative Options: Some travelers try purchasing tickets via their hotel concierge or a local travel agency. They can often secure same-day or pre-booked tickets, especially for small groups.

Additional tips:

Try booking as early as possible for the month you’re visiting; the official site allows bookings 30 days in advance for the Forbidden City.
For Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace, the demand is lower than the Forbidden City, but weekends and holidays still sell out fast.
Consider visiting early in the morning when sites open to avoid large crowds, especially if you get tickets last-minute.

In short, if you’re unable to navigate the official booking sites despite multiple attempts, using a trusted third-party site or local agency is the most reliable way to secure tickets. The small extra cost is often worth the peace of mind and time saved.

im having a lot of trouble reserving tickets

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