360° Virtual Tour of the Palace Museum

The “360° Virtual Tour of the Palace Museum” platform leverages high-resolution panoramic photography to present both exterior and preserved interior views of heritage halls—such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Palace of Heavenly Purity—in full 360-degree panoramas, allowing visitors to explore the Forbidden City anytime, anywhere . Compatible with both VR headsets and standard browsers, the platform features scene switching, interactive hotspots, and embedded site maps to deliver an engaging digital cultural experience .

How to Use

1. Open your preferred browser and go to the official site: https://pano.dpm.org.cn/ .

2. Select your desired courtyard from the homepage list (e.g., Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Mental Cultivation), then click to enter its 360° panorama .

3. Toggle between VR mode (VR headset required) and “naked-eye” mode via the bottom-right corner controls for either immersive VR or standard browsing .

4. Use the left-side scene navigation panel to instantly jump to other courtyards. A mini-map at the bottom shows your current location and route options.

5. Drag your mouse or swipe on touchscreens to rotate your view; click on highlighted hotspots to open multimedia descriptions of artifacts and architectural details.

Official Websites:

• 360° Virtual Tour: https://pano.dpm.org.cn/

• The Palace Museum: https://www.dpm.org.cn/

Features

• Full 360° Panoramas: Leveraging cutting-edge panoramic photography, the tour covers all publicly accessible courtyards of the Palace Museum.

• Dual VR and Standard Modes: Seamless switching between VR headset immersion and standard web browsing .

• Multi-Courtyard Navigation: One-click scene transitions among key areas such as Meridian Gate, Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the Hall of Literary Glory .

• Interactive Hotspots: Each hotspot provides detailed text, imagery, and video explanations to enrich historical context.

• Integrated Map & Routing: An embedded floor plan enables users to pinpoint their location and plan the next visit spot.

Suitable Scenarios

• Trip Planning: Prospective visitors can preview routes and highlights to optimize their on-site itinerary.

• Remote Education: Schools and universities can integrate the tour into curricula for history, architecture, and art courses.

• Cultural Promotion: Museums and educational platforms can embed the tour as part of digital outreach and public engagement.

• Personal Exploration: Historians, photographers, and enthusiasts can draw inspiration and delve into the Forbidden City’s grandeur from anywhere.