The offices of the Beijing municipal government will be open to the public on a pilot basis starting next year, said Song Yu, deputy director of the Beijing Traveling Committee. The municipal government will work out the sphere, route and signs for public visits, and assign tour guides.

Certain offices of the Beijing municipal government will be open to public on the "China Tourism Day" on May 19 and the "World Tourism Day" on Sept. 27 free of charge. Other offices can choose different open days according to their own conditions.

In principle, government agencies will be open to the public free of charge. Enterprises and public institutions that establish open days can charge an appropriate fee depending on the circumstances. The prices of related services and tourism products should be clearly marked and limited to a reasonable level. After all, the purpose of opening government agencies is not to gain profits.

The open days can be set up as compulsory or voluntary.

"Visitors need to make an appointment in advance by phone or through the help of travel agencies. The specific procedures remain undecided," Song said. In the initial stages of the establishment of open days, government agencies will mainly receive tourist groups to accumulate experience and to improve the facilities and services and then gradually open to individual visitors.