<strong>Forbidden City lights up: </strong>For the first time in 94 years, Beijing's Palace Museum opened its doors to the public after dark -- but for two nights only.
Forbidden City lights up: For the first time in 94 years, Beijing's Palace Museum opened its doors to the public after dark -- but for two nights only.
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<strong>Lantern Festival celebrations:</strong> The special event, taking place February 19-20, forms part of Beijing's Lantern Festival celebration, which marks the end of the Lunar New Year holiday.
Lantern Festival celebrations: The special event, taking place February 19-20, forms part of Beijing's Lantern Festival celebration, which marks the end of the Lunar New Year holiday.
Xiong Yong/CNN
<strong>Ancient art: </strong>The dramatic displays include projections of ancient Chinese paintings onto exterior walls of the Forbidden City's buildings.
Ancient art: The dramatic displays include projections of ancient Chinese paintings onto exterior walls of the Forbidden City's buildings.
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<strong>A Beijing icon: </strong>Completed in 1420, the Forbidden City was the home of emperors and served as the political center of China for over 500 years.
A Beijing icon: Completed in 1420, the Forbidden City was the home of emperors and served as the political center of China for over 500 years.
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<strong>Overwhelming demand: </strong>Tickets for the event were available free online. The Palace Museum's official website temporarily crashed due to the overload of visits.
Overwhelming demand: Tickets for the event were available free online. The Palace Museum's official website temporarily crashed due to the overload of visits.
Xiong Yong/CNN
<strong>Spooky shadows:</strong> The Forbidden City has been featured countless times in Chinese TV series and novels. "I wonder if people will come across exciting ghostly shadows on the ancient walls." one person jokingly wrote on Weibo.
Spooky shadows: The Forbidden City has been featured countless times in Chinese TV series and novels. "I wonder if people will come across exciting ghostly shadows on the ancient walls." one person jokingly wrote on Weibo.
Xiong Yong/CNN
<strong>LED lights:</strong> Festival organizers planning this year's Lantern Festival event are using LED lights rather than traditional paper lanterns and red candles.
LED lights: Festival organizers planning this year's Lantern Festival event are using LED lights rather than traditional paper lanterns and red candles.
Xiong Yong/CNN
<strong>Trial run: </strong>"We want to pass on that tradition and light up the ancient architecture to give people more festival experiences," says Shan Jixiang, director of the Palace Museum. "Tonight is a trial. If the feedback is positive, there will be more events like this."
Trial run: "We want to pass on that tradition and light up the ancient architecture to give people more festival experiences," says Shan Jixiang, director of the Palace Museum. "Tonight is a trial. If the feedback is positive, there will be more events like this."
Xiong Yong/CNN