The Forbidden City announced it will continue to invest in cultural products innovation, having generated an estimated RMB900 million in revenue through such products this year. It also plans to release three new apps next year and open three digital museums.
The Forbidden City boosts spending on RD
The Forbidden City has drawn enthusiasm on its range of “cute/fun” cultural products recently. As of August, the Forbidden City museum has already developed 6,746 types of innovative cultural products.
Museum director Jixiang Dan said that the revenue from cultural products last year was RMB600 million, compared to admission revenue of RMB700 million. This year's revenue from cultural products is expected to increase to RMB900 million. “However, net income is comparatively low because much of the revenue is invested back into RD," he said. “This year’s revenue from cultural products will also be invested in RD, and it may still need to be supplemented by other funding. We are in an uphill battle with our RD and we need more investment towards projects.”
Apps will become more intellectual
Following up on their “Day in the life of the Emperor” app, the Forbidden City will release three new apps online in 2015 including “Forbidden City Days”, “Costumes of the Qing Dynasty” and “Xizai Han’s Banquet”.
The director of the Forbidden City’s app development said that the new apps will not continue in the fun genre but will return to the more mature themes with mainly intellectual and practical applications.
The Forbidden City also plans to launch three digital museums next year.
“Two of the three museums will exhibit the palace interior. One will be an internal digital center and the other digital portal museum is currently under construction. The third one is in the Olympic stadium and will be opened to the public on the Spring Festival,” Mr. Dan said.（Translation by David)
