Nov 18, 2009
Forbidden City closed off for US President's visit
Mr Obama in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in Beijing's Forbidden City yesterday. 'It's beautiful,' he said of the building - the largest structure in the huge complex. The Chinese authorities had closed off the Forbidden City for a private tour by the US President. -- PHOTO: XINHUA
BEIJING: Beijing's Forbidden City lived up to its name yesterday as the authorities closed off the historic imperial palace to make way for a private tour by United States President Barack Obama.
Mr Obama strolled through the sprawling grounds of the ancient landmark emptied of its usual throng of tourists, sporting a leather jacket to ward off the Beijing chill, with temperatures hovering just above freezing point.
Accompanied by a coterie of officials, including Forbidden City director Zheng Xinmiao, he stopped inside the first courtyard for a photo, only to have Mr Zheng point out that he was facing the wrong way.
'Oh, that way?' Mr Obama asked, laughing as he turned around. 'I see.'
The US President made his way up the steps to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the largest structure in the huge complex, whose construction dates back to 1406.
'It's beautiful,' he remarked.
Half an hour later, he finished his visit, sat down alone under the Gate of Continuing Harmony, and wrote at length in the VIP visitor's book.
'Thank you for a wonderful tour of this magnificent place,' Mr Obama told Mr Zheng, adding that he wanted to come back to China with his daughters Malia and Sasha.
His visit to one of China's most famous landmarks did not go unnoticed by Chinese people having lunch just outside the east gate of the city.
'He will understand China's history in this way,' said Mr Ding Caoshun, 47. 'And by understanding China's history, he should understand the Chinese people.'
Mr Obama's China visit features the only sightseeing break of his gruelling Asian swing, which has included stops in Japan and Singapore, and will bring him to South Korea next.
He is expected to visit another Chinese historic landmark - the Great Wall - today.
Forbidden City closed off for US President's visit
Mr Obama in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in Beijing's Forbidden City yesterday. 'It's beautiful,' he said of the building - the largest structure in the huge complex. The Chinese authorities had closed off the Forbidden City for a private tour by the US President. -- PHOTO: XINHUA
BEIJING: Beijing's Forbidden City lived up to its name yesterday as the authorities closed off the historic imperial palace to make way for a private tour by United States President Barack Obama.
Mr Obama strolled through the sprawling grounds of the ancient landmark emptied of its usual throng of tourists, sporting a leather jacket to ward off the Beijing chill, with temperatures hovering just above freezing point.
Accompanied by a coterie of officials, including Forbidden City director Zheng Xinmiao, he stopped inside the first courtyard for a photo, only to have Mr Zheng point out that he was facing the wrong way.
'Oh, that way?' Mr Obama asked, laughing as he turned around. 'I see.'
The US President made his way up the steps to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the largest structure in the huge complex, whose construction dates back to 1406.
'It's beautiful,' he remarked.
Half an hour later, he finished his visit, sat down alone under the Gate of Continuing Harmony, and wrote at length in the VIP visitor's book.
'Thank you for a wonderful tour of this magnificent place,' Mr Obama told Mr Zheng, adding that he wanted to come back to China with his daughters Malia and Sasha.
His visit to one of China's most famous landmarks did not go unnoticed by Chinese people having lunch just outside the east gate of the city.
'He will understand China's history in this way,' said Mr Ding Caoshun, 47. 'And by understanding China's history, he should understand the Chinese people.'
Mr Obama's China visit features the only sightseeing break of his gruelling Asian swing, which has included stops in Japan and Singapore, and will bring him to South Korea next.
He is expected to visit another Chinese historic landmark - the Great Wall - today.
