One: Top Historical Sites You Must Visit in China

Below are the most visited and representative historical sites by foreign tourists, covering cultural, architectural, and archaeological values.

1. Beijing: The Forbidden City and the Great Wall

• The Forbidden City (Imperial Palace)
• Introduction: The royal palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the largest wooden structure complex in the world, containing 9,999 rooms and over a million cultural relics.
• Ticket Price: Off-season 40 yuan, peak season 60 yuan; Treasure Gallery/Clockwork Gallery each 10 yuan.
• Reservation: Must book 1-7 days in advance through the official website/WeChat mini program with real-name registration (passport information required), daily limit of 80,000 visitors.

• Recommended Visit Time: 3-4 hours, it’s recommended to rent an audio guide (bilingual in Chinese and English).

• Great Wall (Recommended Sections)

• Badaling: The most classic section, well-equipped facilities, suitable for first-time visitors; must reserve 1-3 days in advance (ticket price 40 yuan).
• Mutianyu: Fewer crowds, beautiful scenery, perfect for photography; can purchase tickets on-site or reserve online in advance (ticket price 45 yuan).
• Jiankou Great Wall: Unrestored wild Great Wall, ideal for hiking enthusiasts (free, but safety precautions are necessary).

2. Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors and Ancient City Wall

• Terracotta Army Museum
• Introduction: The eighth wonder of the world, a clay warrior army from 2,200 years ago, including three main pits and a bronze chariot exhibition hall.
• Ticket Price: 120 yuan (includes shuttle bus to Emperor Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum).
• Reservation: It is recommended to book 1-2 days in advance via the official website/Ctrip, tickets may sell out quickly during peak seasons.

• Tips: Definitely hire a tour guide (about 100 yuan/hour) or rent an electronic audio guide.

• Xi'an Ancient City Wall

• Introduction: The best-preserved Ming Dynasty city wall in China, you can cycle around the entire wall (13.7 kilometers).
• Ticket Price: 54 yuan; tickets can be purchased on-site, no reservation needed.

3. Dunhuang: Mogao Caves

• Introduction: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving Buddhist murals and sculptures from the 4th to 14th centuries, with 735 caves.
• Ticket Price:
• Class A ticket (8 caves + digital film): 238 yuan, must be booked 30 days in advance via the official website.
• Class B ticket (4 caves): 100 yuan, book one day in advance.
• Tips: No photography allowed inside the caves, it is suggested to bring a flashlight to help observe details.

4. Other Recommended Relics

• Potala Palace in Lhasa: Tibetan palace and religious holy site, need to book 7 days in advance via WeChat Mini Program (200 yuan).
• Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang: Buddhist carvings from Northern Wei to Tang Dynasties, ticket price 90 yuan, recommend booking one day in advance.
• Classical Gardens in Suzhou (Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, etc.): Representatives of Jiangnan gardens, require time-slot reservations (ticket price 40-90 yuan).

Two: Booking Guidelines and Precautions

1. Attractions That Must Be Booked in Advance:
2. The Forbidden City, Mogao Caves (Class A ticket), Potala Palace, Terracotta Warriors (peak season).

3. Booking Platforms: Official websites of attractions, WeChat Mini Programs (such as "Palace Museum"), Ctrip/Fliggy (support international credit cards).

4. Attractions That Don't Require Reservation But Suggest Early Arrival:

5. Great Wall (non-holiday periods), Xi'an Ancient City Wall, Suzhou Gardens (on weekdays).

6. General Rules:

7. All scenic spots require real-name ticket purchases, carry original passport for inspection.
8. During holidays (National Day, Spring Festival) and winter/summer breaks, plan much earlier.

Three: Pitfall Avoidance and Cost-Saving Tips

1. Avoid Peak Hours:
2. Visit the Forbidden City early on weekdays at 8:30 AM opening time, visit the Great Wall in the morning or evening.
3. Combined Tickets and Discounts:
4. Beijing’s “Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Tourism Pass” offers discounts on multiple attractions; Xi'an’s “Shaanxi History Museum + Terracotta Warriors” combo ticket.
5. Transportation Tips:
6. Take the high-speed train from Beijing to Badaling (30 minutes, 20 yuan); it is recommended to take a taxi (about 100 yuan) or bus (Tourist Bus Route 5) from downtown Xi'an to the Terracotta Warriors.

Four: Special Needs Preparation

• Foreign Tourist Channel: Popular attractions like the Forbidden City and Terracotta Warriors have dedicated entrances to reduce waiting times.
• Language Services: Major attractions offer English guides, some also support Japanese, Korean, and French languages (confirmation required in advance).