article_snippet: Beijing's Forbidden City is following in the footsteps of Rome's Colosseum and London's National Gallery and banning the selfie stick.
article_snippet: Beijing's Forbidden City has said selfie sticks are no longer allowed inside the exhibition rooms or narrow passageways over concerns an unfortunate accident may occur . '
article_snippet: Selfie sticks will cause safety concerns, whether for tourists or the exhibits,' Shen Lixia, deputy director of the Palace Museum's tourist reception department, told China Daily. '
article_snippet: She added that as well as being banned in exhibition areas, selfie sticks would be banned in outdoor areas of the museum - so visitors would be wise not to bother taking selfie sticks at all.
article_snippet: However, selfie sticks will still be allowed outside the palace in the Forbidden City - so tourists can still get the all-important shot of the famous 15th century building in the background.
article_snippet: But it seems should the Forbidden City instill a total ban in mobile-mad China - there are said to be 19,300 versions of the selfie stick available on the country's answer to eBay, Taobao - they would have a fair amount of support.
article_snippet: Popular: Chinese tourists use 'selfie sticks' to take pictures as Chinese tourists stand on Jingshan Park, overlooking the Forbidden City, in February.
article_snippet: There are more than 19,000 versions of selfie sticks' for sale on Taobao . '
article_snippet: Museum photos are good for spreading the cultural messages, but we should pay attention to we ways,' Cao Wei, a celebrated Sina Weibo blogger, told People's Daily. '
article_snippet: I support the museums' actions on the selfie stick ban.'
highlights_snippet: Museum bosses have banned stick in exhibition rooms and narrow areas .
  
highlights_snippet: But pictures outside in Forbidden Palace grounds are still allowed for now .