The Palace Museum in the heart of Beijing, also known as the Forbidden City, is extending its opening hours into the night for the first time in its 94-year history in honor of the Lantern Festival – on February 19 and 20 only. /VCG Photo

The museum, the former Ming- and Qing-dynasty imperial palace, conducted a test run during which it was all lit up, on February 18. /VCG Photo

On February 19, 2,500 invited representatives from the public sector along with 500 visitors who were lucky to make advance reservations online will experience their own version of "night at the museum" with a spectacular light show. On February 20, 3,000 people with reserved free tickets will get their chance. /VCG Photo

The unique opportunity intrigued so many that the official ticketing website crashed at midnight on February 17, the moment when public registration opened. The free spots were fully booked in an instant. /VCG Photo

The Palace Museum has warned visitors not to accept tickets from any channel except for the official ticketing system to avoid fraud, and promised there will be more special events at the complex. /VCG Photo