The Palace Museum is lit up on Feb 18 evening for a rehearsal of rare nighttime public tours on Feb 19 and Feb 20 for visitors who were able to snag the free tickets. (Photo by Song Hongliang/People's Daily Online)

The vast majority of the museum's staff have no idea what their workplace looks like after dark. However, for this special event, the employees will be allowed to attend this week's night visits.

The exception to the curfew, in 2015, happened when one of China's best known ancient works of art, the Northern Song masterpieceAlong the River During the Qingming Festivalwas displayed during an exhibition in the Hall of Martial Valor. The overwhelming number of visitors caused the museum to allow late entry to the hall, even extending past midnight.