First lady Melania Trump visits the Great Wall of China without president

First lady Melania Trump looked as chic as ever Friday as she toured China’s famed Great Wall at Mutianyu, two hours north of Beijing city center. 

She rode a cable car to a watchtower, signed a guestbook and strolled along a stretch of the wall for about half an hour with a small group of aides and security officers, according to the Associated Press.

The first lady, clad in designer duds and big sunglasses, said, “This is beautiful. This is amazing,” according to Vanity Fair magazine.  

The first lady stayed in China as President Trump traveled to Danang, Vietnam, to take part in a regional economic and security conference.

Speaking before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Trump echoed his 2016 stump speech by complaining that too many countries take advantage of the United States on trade, and vowing to change that. 

"I am always going to put America first the same way that I expect all of you in this room to put your countries first," Trump told APEC.

More:Trump tells APEC summit: 'I am always going to put America first'

In reflecting on her time as first lady, Melania Trump told CNN: "Well, it's my honor to be a first lady of the United States, and it was a very busy year." 

"We love to live in Washington, we have a very busy life. It's exciting, as well," she added.

The first lady planned to return to the nation's capital after touring the Great Wall. Trump tweeted that his wife will first stop in Alaska “to greet our AMAZING troops.”

Earlier Friday, the Slovenian immigrant and former fashion model went to the Beijing zoo to check out a very important panda.