Public to see much more of Beijing’s Forbidden City from today – but no ghosts

Beijing’s Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, which homed 14 emperors over five centuries during China’s Ming and Qing dynasties, is definitely not haunted, its management insists.

There had long been rumours about supposedly paranormal events in the 72 hectare site, but these were simply fairy tales and urban legends, a spokesman told journalists.

“People make up these stories because there are certain parts of the Forbidden City that remain unopened to visitors and so retain an awe of mystery,” the spokesman said.

“No staff have ever found paranormal signs in the museum.”

Room for such spooky speculation, however, will diminish somewhat today when four more areas will be open to the public to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the museum.

They include the Cining and Shoukang palaces, the residences of queen and empress dowagers that have often been portrayed in modern films and TV dramas.