BEIJING, Nov. 24 -- The Palace Museum in Beijing will waive the entry fee for certain Chinese residents, it announced Monday.

Chinese teachers, students, soldiers, police, medical staff and volunteers will be able to visit the museum for free on the first Wednesday of each month from December 2014 to April 2015.

The initiative aims to foster interest from these key groups of society in the popular ancient Chinese palace during the museum's quieter months, while at the same time reducing the hordes of tourists during high season.

Those eligible must prebook online 10 days before their visit.

Adult tickets for the museum costs about 60 yuan (9.78 U.S. dollars.