Obama visits Great Wall, "inspired by its majesty"

U.S. President Barack Obama visits the Badaling section of the  Great Wall in Beijing on Nov. 18, 2009.(Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

BEIJING, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama had a taste of Chinese history on Wednesday by visiting the country's most iconic site, the Great Wall.

"It's magical," Obama said when walking along the Great Wall in chilly winter wind. "It reminds you of the sweep of history and our time here on earth is not that long. We better make the best of it."

Dressed in a dark winter jacket, a smiling Obama broke away from companions and walked alone along the ramp.

"I brought back the admiration for the Chinese civilization, I bring here the greetings of American People," Obama said when ascending a watchtower to enjoy a distant view at the Badaling section of the Great Wall.

Obama is the fifth U.S. president to visit the manmade wonder. Former U.S. President Richard Nixon visited the Great Wall in 1972,Ronald Reagan in 1984 and Bill Clinton in 1998. In 2002, former U.S. President George W. Bush and his wife Laura toured the same section as Obama did.