US President Barack Obama spared an hour from his busy schedule to tour Beijing's Imperial Palace Museum on Tuesday afternoon. Obama is the fourth US president to visit the Imperial Palace, or the Forbidden City.

President Obama and his entourage braved cold winds on Tuesday afternoon, with temperatures around the zero degree mark.

Despite the conditions, the president seemed in good spirits and interested in the tour.

The distinguished visitors began their tour from the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and finished up in the royal garden.

Security in the area was tight, and the Forbidden City was closed to the public for the whole day.

(CCTV November 18, 2009)