Plan
Tickets, seats and arrival
Booking with the right phone number, the tickets that arrive on the morning, what to do if they don't, choosing seats and getting to Xingfu Street by metro or taxi.
Book the acrobatics hour ↗Quick answer
Book with a phone number that uses WhatsApp, WeChat or iMessage, because your real tickets arrive that way on the morning of the show; the QR code from GetYourGuide is only a confirmation. Check the seating chart before you pay. Take metro Line 5 to Temple of Heaven East Gate station, or a taxi with the address written in Chinese.
Before you book
Two things matter more than usual. First, the phone number: give one with WhatsApp, WeChat or iMessage that will work while you are in China, because that is how the tickets reach you. Second, the seats: they are numbered, and the booking page's photos include a plan of the hall. Look at it and check which area your option covers. Then choose a date in the calendar, which also shows start times.
The morning of the show
Your real tickets are sent by message on the morning of your show date. The QR code in your GetYourGuide confirmation is not a ticket, so do not rely on it at the door. When the message arrives, open it, check the date, time and address, and take a screenshot so you can show the tickets without signal. Keep your phone charged for the evening.
If nothing arrives
Check every messaging app tied to your number, including message requests from senders who are not in your contacts. If nothing has arrived by late morning, contact the ticket seller through your GetYourGuide booking, giving your date and option. Doing it early leaves time for the seller to resend. Avoid going to the theatre with only the GetYourGuide QR code.
By metro
The nearest stop is Temple of Heaven East Gate station, on Line 5 of the Beijing Subway. Wikipedia says the name refers to the east gate of the Temple of Heaven, where the station is, and that it has three exits, A2, B and C, of which B and C are accessible. From the station, use a map app with the theatre's address on Xingfu Street, and keep the Chinese version of the address on your phone.
By taxi
Many taxi drivers in Beijing cannot read an address written in English, so ask your hotel to write the theatre's name and Xingfu Street address in Chinese, or copy it from your morning tickets. Allow extra time at rush hour, when central traffic slows. A ride-hailing app with an English interface helps too, as long as you can show the address in Chinese characters.
Arriving
Because seats are numbered, nobody gains anything by queueing early. Arrive with enough margin to find the entrance, show your tickets and reach your row before the lights go down; one hour passes quickly, and walking in late means missing an act. If your morning message gives a different address from the one you expected, follow the message.
Cancelling and changing
On GetYourGuide bookings, cancelling costs nothing until 24 hours before the show. Reserve now, pay later lets you hold seats while plans settle and pay nearer the time. After the 24-hour mark, plans are harder to change, so confirm your date and the number of seats before then. If you need to move to another date, cancelling within the free window and booking again is usually the simplest route.
Frequently asked questions
Which phone number should I give?
One that uses WhatsApp, WeChat or iMessage and works in China, because the tickets arrive by message.
What is the nearest metro station?
Temple of Heaven East Gate, on Line 5.
Do I need to arrive early?
Seats are numbered, so only early enough to find your row before the lights drop.
Sources