Michelle Obama Visits Beijing [PHOTOS]

US First Lady Michelle Obama arrived in Beijing on 20 March to begin her week-long trip to China.

Accompanied by her mother Marian Robinson and daughters Sasha and Malia, Michelle Obama began the first and longest leg of her trip with several engagements in Beijing on Friday.

She met Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, upon arrival for a visit to the Beijing Normal School, a school that prepares students for university abroad.

She interacted with students at the school, tried her hands on Chinese calligraphy and also played table tennis. The students described her as "amicable" and very approachable.

Later in the day, Michelle visited Forbidden City, the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty in to the end of the Qing Dynasty (from 14th century to the early 20th century).

Mrs. Obama retires for a private stately dinner and performance to conclude her first day in Beijing.

She will be in Beijing until 23 March. The first lady will then visit Xi'an on 24 March and Chengdu on 25 and 26 March before flying back to the US.

On her first diplomatic trip to the country, Michelle Obama aims to meet the young people in China and hear about their challenges, hopes and dreams as well as foster greater educational and cultural exchanges between US and China.

On Saturday, the first lady will speak at Peking University and will answer questions submitted by classrooms around the US.

Have a look at some of the photos from day one.