Rare photos of the Fobbiden City are being seen by the public for the first time since 1949. The Palace Museum has opened an exhibit displaying archived photos from the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China.

Palace Museum's old photo collection on show

The exhibition includes 300 items that have been carefully selected from more than 20,000 old photographs and glass-frosted negatives. Many rarely seen images of the Forbidden City —and people living within it—are now open to the public.

Among the many displayed photos, you can find images of Empress Dowager Cixi in her 40s, which were sent by American diplomats, and photos of the last Emperor Puyi and his wife Empress Wanrong.

Palace Museum's old photo collection on show

Photographic technology entered China in the late Qing Dynasty—during a period of warfare and turbulence. It was introduced into the Palace Museum when it was still called the Forbidden City, the Chinese emperor's dwelling, which was much safer than the outside world. So it became the perfect haven to take and preserve photos.

Palace Museum's old photo collection on show

The display falls into four categories, covering themes of politics, economy, military, diplomacy and common people's customs and practices a hundred years ago.

The show will last until July 17 and is included in the entrance ticket price for the Palace Museum.

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