Beijing's Forbidden City has been illuminated and opened to the public for night visits for the first time to celebrate China's Lantern Festival.
As night fell, visitors were welcomed by a light show at the Meridian Gate exhibition hall. A dazzling array of lights also lit up the Supreme Harmony Hall. Chinese characters and traditional decorations were projected on the outer walls.
Along a corridor, the ancient Chinese painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" was projected on rooftops.
The Forbidden City, which was China's political center for more than 500 years, is now known as the Palace Museum. China's Lantern Festival marks the end of Lunar New Year festivities.
(The Palace Museum opens to the public at night for the first time in 94 years to celebrate the Lantern Festival, which falls on February 19. Photos by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
(People take selfies during a light show at the Palace Museum to celebrate the Lantern Festival on February 19, 2019 in Beijing, China. Photos by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
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