The ongoing Old Photos from the Palace Museum's Permanent Collection features such images as a 1903 photograph of Empress Dowager Cixi with a child and wives of foreign diplomats. Photo provided to China Daily

Four parts are included in the show: pictures of palace architecture, portraits of historical figures, reflections on the country's efforts to strengthen the economy and records of the early years of the museum.

Original copies of many famous pictures from China's history textbooks will be shown. Some are the only surviving copies of the images because their film negatives have been lost.

"Some photos show us architecture that no longer exists, and thus have very important academic significance," Shan adds. "Different styles of Chinese and Western photographers are juxtaposed, and visitors will also find how photography has developed since the old days of China."

The Forbidden City was one of the first places in China that introduced Western photography in the late 19th century, and the museum now houses 18,000 old photos plus 17,000 glass film negatives.

According to Shan, the exhibition will move to the National Palace Museum in Taipei in 2016.