Hu visits the Taj Mahal

AGRA: Chinese President Hu Jintao, who visited the Taj Mahal along with his wife Liu Yongqing on Wednesday afternoon, found the 17th century monument to love marvellous and a wonder of the world.

Hu, the first Chinese president to visit India in a decade, arrived from New Delhi around 11.30 a.m. and drove to the Taj Mahal after lunch at a luxury hotel.

He spent an hour, taking a guided tour of the white marble monument built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz.

"Marvellous, a wonder of the world," Hu noted in the VIP visitor's book.

After completing his Taj visit at 4 pm, the president left for Mumbai.

Just before he reached the Taj Mahal, a small group of Tibetans outside the hotel shouted slogans demanding independence for their homeland. They were taken into custody.