Hu impressed by Taj Mahal, calls it masterpiece

Agra, Nov 22 (UNI) Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao today took time off his busy duties to visit the Taj Mahal, the monument to love.

Mr Hu described the Taj Mahal as a masterpiece.

Mr Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing reached Agra this morning aboard a special flight from New Delhi amid tight security and vigil.

Scores of police kept the Taj Mahal out of bounds for common tourists.

The Chinese President, dressed in a black coat and trousers with a white shirt, went around the monument built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

He entered the complex through its east gate and seemed to be awestruck by the marble monument and spent almost 45-minutes with his wife there.

Red shoe covers were put on the dignitaries feet.

Mr Hu described the monument as, ''the wonder of the world and a treasure for human beings,'' in the visitor's book.

The Chinese President and his wife later got themselves photographed seated on a marble bench with the Taj as backdrop.

The 17th century was built in 22 years and more than 20,000 workers were involved it.

Heavy security cover had also been thrown all along the route to be taken by the entourage of Mr Hu during his brief stay here.

The local police had conducted several raids in the district last night and taken some Tibetan refugees in preventive custody.

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