Local and expatriate residents will be able to see priceless rare imperial jade ware later this week without having to travel to Beijing.

Twenty pieces of jade ware from the Palace Museum will be open to the public free of charge at the curio city in Huangbeiling, Luohu District, between Thursday and Sunday during the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair (ICIF).

It's the first time the 20 pieces, mostly dishes and decorative pots made for Emperor Qianlong during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), are exhibited outside Beijing's imperial palace since 1949.

Exhibits include a jade vase embossed with three goats and a jardiniere decorated with lotus flowers.

"We have purchased more than 100 million yuan (US$13 million) worth of insurance to cover the transport and exhibition period," said Wang Yueqing, a spokesman from the curio city.

Round-the-clock security guards and an expert from the Forbidden City will also be deployed to ensure the treasures' safety.

Wang expects the jade ware show will draw tens of thousands of visitors from the Pearl River Delta region during the ICIF, a cultural gala which opens Thursday, especially curio enthusiasts and foreigners interested in ancient Chinese culture.

Zhuo Shaodong, chairman of the curio city, said some 100,000 curio articles valued at more than 20 billion yuan owned by local collectors will also be displayed at the fair.

Another 40 pieces of jewelry valued at 300 million yuan will also be exhibited at the Shuibei International Jewelry Trade Center in Luohu as part of the ICIF.

Editor: Yan