The Palace Museum in Beijing, also known as the Forbidden City, plans to open 80 percent of its grounds to visitors by 2020, museum director Shan Jixiang said on Thursday.
The imperial palace has opened more areas to the public in recent years, exceeding 50 percent in 2014, 65 percent in 2015 and 76 percent this year, according to Shan.
In the next four years, some administrative and ancillary facilities will be removed, and all private cars will be banned, he said.
In order to provide a better visual experience, the museum has been closing commercial sites including shops and eateries.
Four icehouses of the Forbidden City will open as cafeterias, which will allow 300 people to have dinner at the same time, he added.
