Forbidden City bans fire sources

On Aug 14, Palace Museum Director Shan Jixiang said no fire sources will be allowed into the museum.

Widely known as the Forbidden City, the museum is the world's largest and best-preserved wood structure palace complex, and is highly inflammable.

On July 1, the museum's new security check system was put into use. A former 12 museum staff in charge of security have been replaced by 96 professional security guards.

Tourists will be asked to leave fire sources such as lighters at the security check.

"If some tourists want to take back their valuable lighters, we will send the lighters to the exit so that they can collect them when they finish their visit," Shan said.

He also said the Duanmen Gate in front of the museum will be used as an interactive digital museum, and the Wumen Gate at the entrance and its east and west wing buildings will be used as exhibition space.

The two projects will be finished before 2015, which will be the 90th anniversary of the museum's transformation from a royal palace.