How a foreigner books ticket now for arrival in January

We are two foreigners from Europe, arriving on January at Beijing and we want to go to Shanghai. Can we book our tickets in advance from now?

Is it possible to book them now and take them when we arrive (after one month from now) ?

Or as an alternative, can they be delivered to a friend of us that currently lives in Beijing ? Will he be asked to show passports etc. ?

Thanks!!