Visit prompts panda wishes. [Photo/China Daily]

Nearly nine city blocks in Seattle have been closed for President Xi Jinping's visit from Sep 22 to 24, according to the Huffington Post. The local government set up a block-wide perimeter around the Westin hotel where Xi will stay for two nights, and all car traffic will have to detour around the area.

Checkpoints were set up for pedestrians who want to walk on the closed streets.

Mayor of Seattle Ed Murray said in a statement: "With an international visit of this stature and the accompanying federal security requirements, we want all travelers to be advised of the impacts to business as usual."

"Everyone needs to be patient, re-evaluate their commute plans, add in extra travel time, and monitor traffic alerts for the latest information," he added.