BEIJING, Nov 17 (AFP) - Beijing's Forbidden City lived up to its name on Tuesday as authorities closed off the historic imperial palace to make way for a private tour by US President Barack Obama.

Obama strolled through the sprawling grounds of the ancient landmark emptied of its usual throng of tourists, sporting a leather jacket to ward off the Beijing chill, with temperatures hovering just above freezing.

Accompanied by a coterie of officials including Forbidden City director Zheng Xinmiao, Obama stopped inside the first courtyard for a photo, only to have Zheng point out that he was facing the wrong way.

"Oh, that way?" Obama said, laughing as he turned around. "I see."

The US president made his way up the steps to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the largest structure in the huge complex, whose construction dates back to 1406.

"It's beautiful," he remarked as he passed a group of reporters, surrounded by Chinese and US security agents, but did not respond to questions from journalists.

Half an hour later, Obama finished his visit, sat down alone under the Gate of Continuing Harmony, and wrote at length in the VIP visitor's book.

"Thank you for a wonderful tour of this magnificent place," Obama told Zheng, adding he wanted to come back to China with his two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

Obama's visit to one of China's most famous landmarks did not go unnoticed by Chinese people lunching just outside the east gate of the city.

"He will understand China's history in this way," said Ding Caoshun, a 47-year-old man eating in a restaurant beyond the security cordon erected for Obama's visit.

"And by understanding China's history, he should understand the Chinese people."

Liu Chuan, another diner, called the tour "meaningful," but lamented the fact he would not get to see the US president.

"I want to see him, but I won't be able to as he won't get out of the car," the 40-year-old said.