Without prior permission, commercial photography is no longer allowed at the Palace Museum in a bid to better protect this world heritage site. That's according to the new visitor guidelines issued by the museum in Beijing.

Also known as the Forbidden City, the museum management explained these latest rules, which have taken effect since June 30, are also aimed at offering tourists a much safer and more pleasurable visiting experience.

Under the latest guidelines, items that may cause damage to the cultural relics and ancient buildings, or affect the safety of visitors, including luggage cases, trolleys, wagons, scooters, and other wheeled transportation – except for some necessary wheeled vehicles such as wheelchairs and strollers for kids – along with commercial photography equipment such as tripod stands and camera cranes, are prevented from entering this splendid complex sitting at the heart of the Chinese capital.

Livestreaming is also banned within indoor galleries. And without the permission of the museum authorities, a number of non-visitor activities – ranging from performances, interviews and on-site surveys to religious events and commercial shoots – are also prohibited inside the Forbidden City.

According to the museum, the new commercial photography ban not only targets advertising photography for products, but it also applies to custom portrait photography services that involve carrying multiple costumes, photography gear or other props and vehicles. The ban also extends to other make-up, costume-changing and shooting processes that occupy visiting routes for long periods of time and may affect the enjoyment of other tourists.

The normal photographic behavior of visitors, whether they are wearing traditional Chinese outfits or not, will not be affected.