The National Art Museum of China opened to the public for free Wednesday following a government pledge in February to opening all public galleries without charge.

Culture Minister Cai Wu announced the free opening of the museum, which is in Beijing's Dongcheng District, Wednesday.

The gallery will distribute 6,000 no-charge tickets every day, of which 2,000 tickets could be booked through the Internet.

The gallery required visitors, including foreign visitors, to show their identity cards or passports to enter, said curator Fan Di'an.

The gallery would pay more attention to innovative exhibitions and personalized services to meet the diverse demands of visitors, Fan said.

Previously the museum only opened for free for important exhibitions during major holidays, said a statement on the museum's website.

China began to offer free access to museums and memorial halls in 2008.

The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Finance vowed last month that the public will not have to pay to enter public art galleries in two years.