The Palace Museum in Beijing announced it will open its gate earlier to cope with an overwhelming number of visitors during students' summer break.

From July 5 through Aug 24, the museum will open at 8 am (except Mondays, when it is closed), and still close at 5 pm.

The authorities of the museum also vowed to mount patrols in the nearby area to stop unlicensed tour guides and keep good order during the peak season.

Online ticket reservations for the Palace Museum can be made at gugong.228.com.cn.