A photography exhibition opened Monday in Beijing's Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, to reflect the charm of this architectural wonder through the perspective of foreign diplomats.

The exhibition As We Encounter in Light: The Palace Museum Through Diplomats' Eyes, which will run through Feb 22, 2022, showcases 109 photos from 29 diplomats of 19 countries and two international organizations, spotlighting their first impressions of the Forbidden City through details of the buildings and vivid scenes during their visits.

The Forbidden City, China's imperial palace from 1420 to 1911, is the world's largest remaining architectural compound made of wood and also generally represents the pinnacle of ancient Chinese architecture.

Since 2012, the Palace Museum has annually invited foreign diplomats in China to visit the museum to strengthen cultural exchanges and thus contribute to a better understanding of China.