The Palace Museum, Beijing · Footsteps After Closing Time

The Forbidden City closes at five o’clock, which, according to old folklore, is to “let them go back.”

Both staff and visitors have described catching glimpses of palace maids flitting between the red walls, hearing the sound of zithers echoing in empty halls for no reason, and feeling a second set of footsteps following behind them during late-night patrols.

Restoration workers have mentioned that while working in the East Corridor, tools they had placed right by their feet would, upon turning around, appear in a corner dozens of meters away. The elders would only offer one piece of advice: don’t look back, and don’t answer.

Historical Mysteries / Beijing · China / Ming and Qing Dynasties to Present