An international photo exhibition of China's last imperial dynasty will be staged in Beijing's Forbidden City this October. The show is the start of a series of activities celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Palace Museum.

More than 300 works portraying the royal lives and ceremonies of the Qing Dynasty will be on display. During the exhibition, the Palace Museum will display works from 40 world renowned photographers.

A competition will also be held with winners receiving a share of 580,000 yuan (over US$72,000). Masters of photography from home and abroad, including Chinese director Zhang Yimou and artist Chen Yifei, have been invited to be the judges for the competition.

During the coming National Day holiday on October 1, the palace will open up several areas to visitors that have traditionally been off limits. These include the Meridian Gate and the Gate of Supreme Harmony.

(CCTV August 6, 2004)