10 little known facts of the Palace Museum

The Palace Museum, also known as Forbidden City, is a must-see destination in Beijing. It's so big that most people can only get a cursory glance at the spectacular place upon their first visit.

However, there is too much to see and feel here, one visit is far from enough to know the Forbidden City. It is not only a tourist spot, but also a museum full of treasures.

Shan Jixiang, curator of the Palace Museum，reveals some things about the attraction that people may not know about.

1. A couplet was found hidden behind a painting at the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning Gong).

An ancient painting by a Qing Dynasty painter Gu Quan hangs on the wall in Kunning Gong. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A couplet was found hidden behind the ancient painting. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Recently, when employees at the Palace Museum were taking down an ancient painting by a Qing Dynasty painter Gu Quan from a wall in Kunning Gong for repair, a couplet was found hidden behind the painting. The horizontal hanging scroll of the couplet was confirmed to be written by Emperor Xianfeng of the Qing Dynasty. Experts claim that the couplet should be the original item set in the room as it coincides with the overall decoration inside the room.

This area is now half-open to the public, visitors can have a look at the couplet through the window.