Beijing has lifted reservation requirements for most of its major
tourist attractions ahead of the summer travel season, the Beijing
Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism announced on 20 June 2024. The
move aims to revitalise the city's tourism industry, which has been
heavily impacted by the pandemic.
Exceptions to this policy include high-traffic sites such as the
Forbidden City and the National Museum, which will still require advance
bookings. This change follows similar decisions in Shanghai and Suzhou,
where reservations have been cancelled for most attractions and
cultural venues.
The reservation system, initially implemented to manage congestion
and later tightened for pandemic control, has faced criticism from both
domestic and international tourists. Many visitors reported difficulties
with last-minute cancellations and language barriers in using Chinese
booking apps.
The Beijing tourism bureau has urged attractions to enhance visitor
experiences by providing more amenities and increasing capacity for the
summer season. This move is seen as part of a broader effort to boost
consumer confidence and support China's economic recovery.