President Pratibha Patil visits Forbidden City

Beijing, May 28: Pratibha Patil visited the Forbidden City in the centre of Beijing on Friday, May 28, where Ming and Qing dynasties ruled 600 years ago.

Patil admired the splendor of China's past during her visit.

She had held wide-range discussions with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao. Today is the third day of her China visit.

Forbidden City, the imperial palace once, is now known as the Palace Museum. It is the world's largest palace complex with 9999 rooms. It is one of the most popular tourist attraction in the world. It was constructed in 1407. It was listed by UNESCO as the World Heritage Site in 1987.

"The visit to the forbidden city in Beijing was a unique experience. I take back memories and this splendour and grandeur of

China's glorious past which, like India, is an ancient civilisation," wrote the Indian President in the visitor's book after visiting the emperor's throne in the main hall known as Tai Hebial.

"Harmony halls show the importance given to the concept of harmony in the Chinese civilisation. I deeply appreciate this. My very warm greetings to the people of China. My good wishes for their progress and prosperity," the president wrote.

OneIndia News