Forbidden City still lures inquisitive public(3)

Grand designs

When architects drew their plans for the Forbidden City, built in the 15th century, they did plan on its passageways being traversed by thousands of people.

It was designed to be a royal home. It has narrow, winding corridors that can handle just a handful of people at a time sometimes even just one person.

"Yet, these are not obstacles," said Zhang Shuwei, director of Beijing Art Museum, who added that with sufficient resources, the dangers of wear and tear can be reduced.

He welcomed the decision to open more rooms to the public, but urged the museum's governing body to do more to ensure its treasures are preserved, such as boosting crowd control and making better use of surveillance technology.

"Expanding the display area is the first of many steps that are needed to enhance the museum's development," Zhang said. "This is a good sign."

After the revolution of 1911, Pu Yi (1906-67), the last Qing emperor, was allowed to remain in the Forbidden City until 1924, when he was finally expelled by Feng Yuxiang during a coup. Yet, it was not until New China was established in 1949 that the complex was converted into the Palace Museum.