Tourists Told to Tone Down: Foreign Visitors Kicked Out of Forbidden City Over Outfit

The Forbidden City's security team reportedly asked the group to remove their makeup and change into more "normal" clothing before re-entering the palace. However, the group refused, citing the right to freedom of expression. This incident has sparked a lively debate on social media, with many Chinese citizens expressing their support for the Forbidden City's decision. "It's not about suppressing individuality, but about respecting the cultural heritage of our nation," wrote Weibo user 容嬷嬷的妹妹绿婆婆. "If you want to visit our historic sites, please dress accordingly and respect our traditions."

Others have chimed in, questioning whether Owens' group would have been allowed to enter other world-famous museums and landmarks, such as the Louvre or the Met, dressed in similar attire. Some commenters argued that the visitors' Gothic and avant-garde attire was too provocative and might have caused a disturbance among other tourists. @南方都市报, a user on Weibo, wrote, "This is not about freedom of dress, but about respect for our cultural heritage and traditions. They are not just visiting a museum, but also a symbol of our national pride. Their attire was not only unconventional but also intimidating, especially for children."

On the other hand, some netizens pointed out that the Palace Museum's policy on dress code was not clearly defined, and that the tourists should not have been singled out for their attire. However, these voices were largely drowned out by those who supported the museum's decision, with many echoing the sentiment that "you should respect local customs when traveling abroad." As @燕山侠客2022 put it, "The era of Western dominance is over. Dressing freely has its limits. Learn to adapt to local customs."

In response to the incident, the Palace Museum stated that it does not have specific requirements for tourists' attire, but emphasized that visitors should "not be too outrageous" in their dress. The museum's spokesperson clarified that while they respect visitors' freedom to dress as they please, they also expect them to be mindful of the cultural and historical significance of the Forbidden City. The spokesperson's comments seemed to strike a balance between respecting individual expression and maintaining a level of decorum at the ancient palace.

However, some Chinese netizens remained unconvinced, arguing that the tourists' Gothic-inspired attire was too extreme and disrespecting of Chinese traditions. @南方都市报 wrote, "This is not about dressing freely, it's about being considerate of others. The Forbidden City is a tourist destination, not a place for people to show off their outrageous outfits." Others chimed in, suggesting that the tourists should have been more mindful of local customs and norms.

The incident has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many weighing in on the issue of "freedom of dress" versus "respecting local customs". Some argue that tourists should respect local norms by dressing modestly, while others express concerns that some tourists' outfits are not only revealing but also disturbing. The Palace Museum is currently investigating the incident involving Owens and his companions.