The price of an entrance ticket has been raised from 10 to 30 yuan to help recoup renovation costs. For the basic price, visitors can view the Prince's residence, its surrounding gardens and exhibition halls. A more expensive 70 yuan tour includes traditional performances in the great theater, tea and snacks.

The newly opened Palace has full access for the disabled. There are half-price concessions for students, servicemen and the elderly; children less than 1.2 meters tall get in free.

The Palace is currently hosting two exhibitions: "Echoes of the Palace: An exhibition of works by Cross-Straits Artists", shows 55 paintings by artists from the mainland and Taiwan, including portraits of historical figures who lived in the Palace. The second exhibition is "China and Denmark 1600-2000", featuring items from Denmark's Frederiksborg Museum of National History.

There will also be an exhibition of Qing Dynasty Palace culture in the main, Yinluan building.

The Palace was built in 1776 as the private residence of He Shen, a grand secretary of the Qing Dynasty. In 1851 Yixin, Prince Gong, moved in and gave the Palace its present name.

Following the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, the Palace was home to many different organizations. In 2005, major renovation work was initiated.

Contrast of old and new

Since most of the buildings in the Palace were destroyed in a fire in the early 20th century, the renovators had to use historical documents to restore the buildings to their original appearance.

One of the most successful reconstructions is of the First Palace Gate (Tougongmen). The contrast between its original eastern walls and the restored southern and northern walls is striking. Likewise the vivid colors of restored roof paintings stand out against the faded originals.

"Prince Gong's Palace is a record of half the history of the Qing Dynasty," the staff said. "We have kept the original building intact as far as possible."