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Unlocking the Forbidden City: Site will offer virtual stroll through China's history

Chicago-based IBM technologist John Tolva hangs with the royals -- virtually -- from Egyptian pharaohs to Russian czars, and soon, Chinese emperors.

For almost a decade, Tolva and his IBM colleagues have been building virtual worlds online. They've already done the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, and digital pyramids and other ancient real estate holdings of the pharaohs in Egypt.

Today, IBM will announce plans to reconstruct online the Forbidden City, home of Chinese emperors from the 15th though 20th centuries.

"The Forbidden City: Beyond Space and Time" will be launched in 2008.

"This project will help people around the world understand the rich culture of China, our history and our people," Xin Miao Zheng, the Chinese minister of culture said.