Visitors to the Forbidden City, a former complex of royal palaces in central Beijing, have to spend more with possible ticket hikes during tourism boom season, according to the Forbidden City Museum on Monday.

Officials with the museum said entry ticket price would be raised as high as 30 percent from current 40-yuan (US$4.8) ticket in boom season. The added money will be used in revamping the museum.

At present, only half of the Forbidden City is open to the public, as the museum lacks money to repair damaged palaces.

Architect Luo Zhewen said he hopes the price hike could help control the number of visitors during booming travelling season, especially during holidays, in a bid to protect the precious Chinese scenic spot.

Ticket price in off-season will not be changed. Students and children can still enjoy half discount any time.

( People's Daily December 25, 2001)