Post-COVID China Travel #2: Why Foreigners Often Can’t Buy Tickets to Major Attractions On-Site – Hidden Pitfalls You Should Know

In my previous article, I shared the difficulties foreign travelers face when using transportation in China. In fact, beyond securing transportation, I also encountered unexpected barriers when purchasing entrance tickets to tourist attractions. What was particularly striking was how inconvenient the situation is for foreign travelers who cannot use the online ticketing systems. Today, I would like to share my actual experiences and the unexpected challenges I faced when purchasing tickets at tourist destinations.

Read the previous article here

Post-COVID China Travel #1: Why Just Taking a Train or Ferry Can Be Surprisingly Challenging – Tips for Getting Around After Visa Restrictions Were Lifted

Digital Entrance Tickets: Challenging for Foreigners to Use

The ticket purchasing system at Chinese tourist attractions has undergone dramatic changes in recent years. While it was once common to purchase tickets directly at the site, now most tourists buy them in advance through smartphone applications. Instead of traditional ticket booths at attraction entrances, there are now gates with QR code scanners, allowing visitors to smoothly complete everything from entry to facility payments with just a smartphone.

While this change is extremely practical for those within China, it has brought unexpected difficulties for foreign travelers. Online ticket purchases require a Chinese phone number, and in many cases, it’s impossible to complete the purchase process with a foreign phone number. Additionally, traditional staffed ticket windows have decreased, and in some cases, have been completely eliminated.

Unexpected Trouble at the Fujian Tulou Clusters

I first encountered this problem during my visit to the Fujian Tulou clusters. I had arranged a day charter with a driver named He Chao whom I met at Nanjing Station, planning to visit tulou clusters like Tianluokeng and Yunshuiyao. We traveled along mountain roads, with images of traditional circular earthen buildings in mind.

When Mr. He asked me in the car if I had already purchased entrance tickets, I wasn’t particularly concerned. My preliminary research had shown that online purchases were possible through Baidu Maps or the Ctrip travel app. I also optimistically thought that, worst case, I could purchase them on-site.

However, when I actually tried to make a purchase through the app, an error occurred at a certain stage, preventing me from proceeding. According to Mr. He, I couldn’t purchase because I didn’t have a registered Chinese phone number. Even more surprising was when he said, “In today’s China, most people purchase in advance through apps, so I’m not sure if they even sell tickets on-site anymore.” Despite coming all this way, there was a possibility I wouldn’t be able to enter.

Fortunately, thanks to Mr. He’s quick thinking, we were able to stop by the Fujian Tulou Nanjing Scenic Area Tourist Service Center, where we found a staffed ticket counter. Although I was able to purchase tickets, I was the only one using the counter. If I hadn’t met Mr. He, I might not have been able to visit the tulou clusters at all. Just the thought of that sent a chill down my spine.

Similar Difficulties on Gulangyu Island

This issue surfaced again on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen. Gulangyu Island, historically known as an international trade hub, is famous as a tourist destination with unique architectural styles and cultural heritage. The island features numerous attractions like Sunlight Rock, Zheng Chenggong Memorial Hall, and the Organ Museum, but all these facilities required online ticket purchases.

After taking the morning ferry to the island, I first headed to the Organ Museum, where I encountered an unexpected scene at the entrance. The museum had an impressive gate, but no traditional ticket booth; instead, there was only a sign displaying a QR code. I tried purchasing tickets through the app again, but as before, I couldn’t buy them with a foreign phone number.

When I consulted with a nearby staff member, they kindly tried various methods, but ultimately couldn’t find a solution. “I’m sorry, but it seems there’s currently no purchase method available for foreigners,” they said, leaving me feeling greatly disappointed.

Fortunately, Sunlight Rock had a staffed counter installed, allowing me to enjoy the island’s best panoramic view. However, even there, I had to wait a while for the window to open. While waiting in the waiting area, I couldn’t help but feel the irony of the current situation, considering that this island once welcomed many international tourists as a global destination.

In the end, I had to give up on visiting more than half of the facilities I had planned for that day. This was because many facilities only offered online ticket purchases and had no staffed windows. This felt like more than just an inconvenience for a single tourist; it seemed to indicate a major challenge facing tourist destinations.

Between Digitalization and Accommodating Foreign Tourists

The background to these situations lies in China’s rapid digital transformation. While domestic systems are becoming more convenient day by day, accommodations for foreign travelers, who still face tourist visa restrictions, seem to have been put on the back burner.

Foreign travelers without Chinese phone numbers are effectively excluded from online ticket purchasing systems. This is not merely a technical issue but suggests that accommodation for foreign travelers hasn’t kept pace at the system design stage.

The decrease in traditional staffed windows also exacerbates this problem. Paradoxically, the more digitalization advances, the more inconvenient it becomes for foreign travelers.

Current Coping Strategies and Future Outlook

Through these experiences, I’ve come to realize that thorough advance preparation is essential for modern travel in China. It’s important to thoroughly research ticket purchasing methods for each tourist spot and maintain close coordination with local drivers and guides. It’s also necessary to plan a flexible itinerary and consider staffed counter operating hours.

That said, these “inconveniences” can also be viewed as one aspect of China’s rapidly changing society. In the near future, systems for foreign travelers will likely be developed as well. Until then, I believe it’s important to understand these situations and maintain a flexible approach.

Ultimately, these “digital barriers” might be one of the valuable opportunities to experience modern China. On my next visit to China, I’d like to approach travel with more thorough preparation and a flexible mindset, leveraging this experience.