Some Chinese attractions require a paper ticket even if you booked online and received a QR code. Others only accept QR codes generated through their own official system, not third-party apps. Check your booking confirmation for instructions about ticket collection. When in doubt, head to the ticket window with your passport and order number before joining the entry line.
Your booking is tied to the passport number you entered. If you renew your passport and receive a new number, the old booking won’t match. You’ll need to either carry your old passport alongside the new one, or cancel and rebook using your new passport number. At some station counters, staff can update the record, but this is not guaranteed.
No. China’s high-speed rail system uses e-tickets. Foreign passengers board by scanning their passport at the automated gates or showing it to staff at the manual lane. However, some attraction tickets still require paper collection at the venue, so always check your confirmation details.
Online identity verification through the 12306 app typically takes 3–5 days for foreign passport holders. You’ll need to upload a clear photo of your passport’s data page and take a live selfie. Plan ahead and complete this step well before you need to book tickets.
Generally, no. The 12306 app primarily accepts Alipay and Chinese bank cards. International Visa and Mastercard are not directly supported on 12306. If you don’t have Alipay set up, use Trip.com instead, which accepts international cards (with a 3–5% processing fee).
A booking confirmation means payment was accepted and your order is in the system. A valid e-ticket means the system has successfully issued a ticket linked to your passport number. You can have the first without the second. Always check your order status for “Ticketed” or “已出票” before assuming you’re good to go.