China's major museums are ready to say no to "selfie sticks", but are still considering whether to close their doors completely to the world's newest camera accessory.

The Palace Museum in Beijing, the world's largest museum in terms of visitor numbers, announced on Wednesday that selfie sticks are "not suggested to be used" in the institution.

"Selfie sticks will cause safety concerns, whether for tourists or the exhibits," said Shen Lixia, deputy director of the museum's tourist reception department. "It may touch the glass exhibition case and cause damage to the cultural relics."