Beijing, Oct 23 (IANS): In between their serious talks on border issues and boosting strategic ties, visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh went sightseeing to the Forbidden City with his Chinese host, Premier Li Keqiang.

Manmohan Singh spent around 45 minutes at the 15th century complex, built by the Ming dynasty.

At the Forbidden City, located just across the Great Hall of the People where the two held talks, were several tourists who waved to the Indian prime minister.

Manmohan Singh waved back to the tourists and was invited by Li to go towards the crowd.

According to a source, the prime minister wished the tourists “good afternoon” .

The invite to the sightseeing came from the Chinese premier ahead of the visit.

The Forbidden City is located in the centre of Beijing and now houses the Palace Museum. For almost 500 years, it served as the home of emperors and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political centre of the Chinese government.

Built from 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 buildings. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.