The gardens and parks also open an hour earlier and stay open two hours later than the palace from April to October, making it even easier to beat the tourist rush.

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After a meal in a palace banquet hall, the officials quarreled into the wee hours.

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At 5 pm, the ducks march back to the elevator, which returns them to the rooftop Royal Duck Palace, where guests can also catch a glimpse of them through glass windows during off-hours.

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"I will now want several hours to reflect on the talks and by this evening I will go to the presidential palace to report my assessment, " he said.

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