A HOSPITAL for conservation at the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, opened to the public Saturday, as part of ongoing activities being held for China’s Cultural and Natural Heritage Day.

The first visitors were in a group of 40 people, who watched “doctors” repairing some of the museum collections, including calligraphy, paintings, bronzeware and clocks, under the guidance of 24 volunteers.

“Opening the conservation studios to the public is a good way to raise public awareness of cultural heritage protection,” said Li Husheng, a visitor from Shanghai.

“Watching the masters repairing some of the treasures is like watching an episode of ‘Masters in the Forbidden City,’ only more vivid,” said Lu Jiajun, a Beijing International Studies University student, referring to a popular 2016 documentary.

“It’s not like what I imagined. I saw so much advanced equipment today and learned that restoration work is a science,” said Gao Yuanyuan, a visitor from Beijing.

“We hope more people can learn the importance of cultural conservation by opening the hospital to the public,” said Shan Jixiang, curator of the Palace Museum. (Xinhua)