BEIJING, Feb. 11  -- Beijing's Palace Museum, one of China's most prominent landmarks, will be closed for the afternoon of Chinese New Year's Eve (Feb. 18) and the morning of the Chinese Lunar New Year (Feb. 19), its management announced on Wednesday.

The Palace Museum, otherwise known as the Forbidden City, will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Feb. 18, with last entry at 11:10 a.m.

The opening hours for Feb. 19 will be from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m., and visitors need to enter before 3:40 p.m.

The attraction will have 25 ticket booths in service at peak hours during the busy Lunar New Year holiday.

Visitors are encouraged to book tickets in advance via http://Palace Museum.228.com.cn.