Forbidden City with new attractions next year

(File Photo)

Annual tickets to be available for visiting Forbidden City next year

From October this year, people will be able to buy an annual ticket for visiting the Forbidden City in 2015 from its official website. The price for adults is $48 (RMB300), for students and the elderly it is $24 (RMB150). An annual ticket will allow 10 visits a year.

The current entry price for the Forbidden City is $9.60 for peak season (from Apr. 1 to Oct. 31) and $6.40 for off season (from Nov. 1 to Mar. 31 next year).

"This will benefit those who love the ancient palace and the wonderful collections, and want to make multiple visits," says Shan Jixiang, director of the Forbidden City Museum.

6 groups of people will enjoy free open days

Shan says that the museum received 15.3 million visitors in 2012, with about 182,000 on its busiest day. It averages 70,000 visitors a day during summer and 20,000 in winter. It is necessary to balance the number of visitors between peak and low seasons. In order to manage visitors and ease peak flow, as well as take care of special groups, the Forbidden City will offer free tickets on the first Wednesday of the month from November to April 2015 for 6 social groups including teachers, medical practitioners, voluntary workers, soldiers, police and college students.

Half-price tickets after 2 pm

New proposals include Half-price tickets after 2 pm.

"We would like to encourage visitors to avoid the peak time in the morning and switch to the afternoon, so they can have a more comfortable touring experience," said Shan.

The Palace Museum will trial the new pricing from Sept 14 to 16.