1. A method of generating a local graphical user interface (GUI) on a touch screen of a client device that is connected to a server device having a remote desktop, the method comprising: receiving, from the server device, user interface (UI) metadata that specifies content of a GUI element in the remote desktop, and a base image comprising a graphical representation of the remote desktop; generating, at the client device, a native GUI element based on received UI metadata, wherein the native GUI element comprises a virtual representation of a corresponding GUI element of the remote desktop; generating a local GUI to be displayed on the touch screen of the client device, the local GUI comprising the base image received from the server device and the native GUI element rendered on top of the base image; and responsive to detecting that the native GUI element has been manipulated through a touch input, transmitting, to the server device, an input event indicating a manipulation of the corresponding GUI element in the remote GUI by the client device.