New sections of the western side of the Forbidden City will soon be open to the public, People’s Daily reports.
On September 29, a path leading from Duanhong Bridge to the icehouse will be opened. There are also plans to open the royal icehouse, imperial kitchen and Yuqing Palace (the crown prince's residence) in the future. An observation deck where visitors can see Jiangshan Park will also be unveiled at a later date.
According to Shan Jixiang, the curator of the Palace Museum, these are just a few of many changes that the Forbidden City will undergo during the next four years.
"These new routes will increase the touring area, as well as bring changes to exhibition layouts," said Shan.
Exhibitions that will offer a glimpse into royal life are also in the works. According to Shan, Yongshou Palace will be used to display traditional Chinese medicines. Emperors’ childhood toys will also be exhibited. And royal kitchenware will be displayed in the imperial kitchen.
There are also plans to systematically repair areas of the Forbidden City.
By the end of 2016, 76 percent of the Forbidden City will be open to the public. It is projected that 80 percent of the historic attraction will be open by 2020. The number is expected to rise to 85 percent by 2025.
[Image via Wikipedia]
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