Olympic torch bids farewell to Wuzhong

Torchbearer Hao Wei and Wang Binchen 'make a heart' during the torch relay in Wuzhong, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 30.
(Photo credit: Xing Guangli/Xinhua)

Torchbearers make thumbs-up signs during the Torch Relay in Wuzhong, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 30.
(Photo credit: Xing Guangli/Xinhua)

Torchbearer Zhang Ming (R) passes the torch to local official during the Torch Relay in Wuzhong, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 30.
(Photo credit: Xing Guangli/Xinhua)

Updated：2008-06-30

(WUZHONG, June 30) -- The Olympic torch bid farewell to Wuzhong, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, at 10:48 a.m. on Monday with last torchbearer Huang He lighting the cauldron at the Shengyuan Square. The torch will begin its Yinchuan leg, the last stop of Torch Reley in Ningxia, on Tuesday.
Wuzhong is famous for its unique scenery and is home to the country's largest concentration of Hui people.
The 5.6-km-long Wuzhong leg followed the Zhongwei leg that ended on Sunday. Established in 1947, Wuzhong Middle School, the starting point of the relay, is a model school that contributes to local development.
A total of 193 torchbearers, including Zhang Dongguo, who is dedicated to promoting local Qingzhen delicacies, and Li Youdong, head of the Wuzhong Firefighting Team that headed to Wenchuan for quake relief work, participated in the Torch Relay in Wuzhong.
As early as 8 a.m., crowds of local residents flocked to the streets to see the Olympic flame.

Sacred flame completes first stop in journey through the west

Updated：2008-06-17

One minute of silence observed for the victims of the deadly May 12 earthquake that hit Sichuan province before the Beijing Olympic torch relay kicks off in Urumqi, Xinjiang Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning.

The Torch Relay in Xinjiang Autonomous Region kicked off at half past nine here on Tuesday morning from Urumqi People's Square. The photo shows local offical giving speech.

Torchbearer Huang Hong runs during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China Tuesday, 2008.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)

(URUMQI, Xinjiang, June 17) -- Excited fans were greeted with the scene of Paralympian athlete Wang Yanhong lighting the flame cauldron at 11:53 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, in front of Xinjiang Sports Center, marking the end of the Torch Relay in Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Wang took the gold for China in archery in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Urumqi is the first stop of the relay in Xinjiang. In the afternoon, the sacred flame will make its way to Kashi for a relay scheduled the next day.
The construction of Xinjiang Sports Center was completed in December of 2005. Currently, it stands as the most comprehensive, most technologically advanced sports venue in China's western region. The center includes an outdoor stadium with room for 50,000 audience members, a gymnasium that can hold 7,000 fans, a running track, football training field, a general training center, and tennis courts, among other facilities.
Hours before the scheduled start of the Torch Relay, Xinjiang residents were out eagerly awaiting the launch in front of Urumqi People's Square.
Abuduxikeer Mijiti, a boxer of Uyghur descent, took off from the launch site as Tuesday's first torchbearer. The athlete is famed around China as the title holder of several national boxing tournaments. Under the skilled training of the "Boxing King," Xinjiang has produced many boxing champs.

For a total of 12.5 kilometers, 208 torchbearers carried the sacred flame past Urumqi's unique sites. To celebrate the relay, traditional ethnic singing and dancing followed the flame, performed at designated sites along the route, showcasing the capital's distinct and diverse culture.
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is located in the western section of China, bordering 8 other countries. About 21 million residents live on its 1.6 million square kilometer area, which equals about one-sixth of China's entire land territory. 55 of China's ethnic minority groups call Xinjiang home.
Urumqi, the capital, is the region's center of economics, politics, and culture. About 2.6 million people live in the picturesque city, which has jurisdiction over seven districts and one county.
Historically, Urumqi was a stop on the northern Silk Road, making it a very important post for economic and cultural exchange between the east and west. Today, within its multiethnic communities, traditions still stand strong, and the unique ethnic flavors give Urumqi strong appeal.

Flame ends Chongqing tour

Participants mourn victims of the May 12 Wenchuan earthquake victims before they start the 2008 Beijing Olympic torch relay in Chongqing, Southwestern China, June 16, 2008.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)

Local people celebrate the arrival of the Beijing Olympic flame at the end of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Chongqing, June 16, 2008 at Great Hall of the People.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)

Citizens cheer during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Chongqing municipality in southwest China on June 16, 2008.

Updated：2008-06-16

(CHONGQING, June 16) -- Chinese boxing champion Li Bin reached the Great Hall of the People here at 10:30 a.m. on Monday with the Olympic flame and lit the cauldron to mark the end of the Torch Relay in Chongqing.
The 17-kilometer relay had begun at 8:10 a.m. with Go world champion Gu Li as the first of 208 torchbearers.
BOCOG Executive Vice-President Jiang Xiaoyu; BOCOG member Tian Maijiu; Chongqing Vice-Mayor Huang Qifan; Minister of the Publicity Department of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPC; and other officials attended the closing ceremony.
The Torch Relay will continue in Urumqi on Tuesday.

Immigrators embrace Beijing Olympic torch with enthusiasm

Updated：2008-06-15 From：Xinhuanet

The last torchbearer Wang Lingang ignites the flame in Wanzhou. (Photo credit: Fan Fan)

WANZHOU, Southwest China, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Immigrators from the Three Gorges region celebrated the Beijing Olympic torch relay with enthusiasm when it kicked off in heavy rains in Wanzhou, Chongqing, Southwestern China Sunday morning.
Kong Linghui, former Olympic table tennis champion, became the first torch bearer to run off the Wanzhou Middle School after one minute of silence observed for the victims of the deadly May 12 earthquake that hit Sichuan province.
Despite showers pouring down, thousands of students and immigrating residents stood around the school with smiles all over their faces, cheering for the torch relay, shooting "Go On Olympics, Go On Sichuan"

Kong Linghui (C), former Olympic table tennis champion, became the first torch bearer to run off the Wanzhou Middle School in Wanzhou, Chongqing, Southwestern China Sunday morning after one minute of silence observed for the victims of the deadly May 12 earthquake that hit Sichuan province. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

A total of 208 torch bearers are running for 29.4 kilometers through the city, a population of 1.72 million, including 263,000 immigrators.
Being one of the 10 biggest port cities along the Yangtze River, Wanzhou is located in the center of Three Gorges Reservoir region as the biggest immigrating city, with one fifth immigrators from the region.
"The Beijing Olympic Games and the torch relay through the country, will surely enhance our sense of All For Fitness sports activities," said Tan Qibin, a resident at Baianba street in Wanzhou, "while China is set to become more stronger, we are going to host a successful Olympics and to create more miracles for our country and for the world as well."

Immigrators from the Three Gorges region celebrated the Beijing Olympic torch relay with enthusiasm when it kicked off in heavy rains in Wanzhou, Chongqing, Southwestern China Sunday morning. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

As one of the main themes, People's Olympics has been rooting among ordinary Chinese people, even for immigrating cities, such as Wanzhou.
Fitness Corridor has been set up along the riverside boulevard in the city with variety of sports equipment, attracting thousands of residents daily for physical training.
Residents who used to have their physical exercises by walking only, nowadays have easy access to the sports facilities even among their communities.
"I keep physical exercises one to two hours daily," said Xia Qingcheng who cheered for the torch relay along the rainy road, "We're putting sports activities in our daily life, and we're participating in the Olympic Movement actively."
Sports facilities and recreational equipment have been put in place in all immigrating cities, including Wanzhou.
"We have set up many a squares in our city, and the riverside Corridor has an area of nearly 6,000 square meters, which alone attracted some 2 million person-time last year," said Ran Molin, director of Wanzhou Sports Bureau.
To explore the advantage of two rivers flowing through, Chongqing, with Wanzhou as its second biggest city, has carried out a Fitness Program along the banks of the rivers for ordinary people in sports activities of basketball, tennis, beach volleyball, rock climbing and swimming.
Ten treks have been set up along mountain roads, which recorded the footsteps of 2 million person-time last year, and more than 600,000 square meters have been allocated for sports activities in the countryside for more than 3 million peasants in Chongqing.

One minute of silence observed for the victims of the deadly May 12 earthquake that hit Sichuan province before the Beijing Olympic torch relay kicks off in heavy rains in Wanzhou, Chongqing, Southwestern China Sunday morning. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Therefore, many of the torch bearers in Wanzhou are ordinary residents. Luo Yang, a nurse in the Three Gorges Central Hospital, said after her leg of the torch relay that "I likes running and I enjoys the torch relay. Running the hundred meter is an easy call for me."

Olympic flame ends visit to Kaili

First torchbearer Lin Li of Tujia ethnic minority runs with the torch during the torch relay in Kaili, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 13, 2008.

First torchbearer Lin Li of Tujia ethnic minority displays the torch during the torch relay in Kaili, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 13, 2008.

A girl is dressed in the starling ethnic minority clothing. The torch of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is relayed in Kaili, where many ethnic minorities inhabit, on June 13, 2008.

Updated：2008-06-13
(KAILI, GUIZHOU PROVINCE, June 13) -- At 11:45 a.m. on Friday, Liao Shaohua, party chief of Qian Dongnan Autonomous Prefecture, ignited the cauldron of the Olympic flame at the Qian Dongnan Autonomous Prefecture Ethnic Stadium, marking the end of the Olympic Torch Relay in Kaili, the flame's second stop in Guizhou Province in southwestern China.
A total of 208 torchbearers ran along a route of 19.3 kilometers, concluding the 45th leg of the relay in the Chinese mainland.
Earlier today, the relay started from Upper Langde Miao Village in Leishan County of the Qian Dongnan Autonomous Prefecture. The village was awarded the name of "Hometown of Chinese Folk Arts" by the Ministry of Culture because of its rich ethnic culture.
People at the Stadium welcomed the arrival of the Olympic torch, an unprecedented event in the region where Miao, Dong and other ethnic groups live.

Torch ends tour of Guiyang

This photo shows the sacred flame's escort lighting the torch in Guiyang. Guiyang is the first leg of the Torch Relay in Guizhou Province.

The June 12 Torch Relay in Guiyang continued in spite of rain. This photo shows people mourning for the quake victims at the launching ceremony.

Locals wait for the 2008 Olympic torch relay in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 11, 2008

The Torch Relay in Guiyang, Guizhou, kicked off on June 12. Ouyang Ziyuan, chief scientist of China's Lunar Exploration Program ran the first leg. The torch will be relayed in three cities in Guizhou Province.

Updated：2008-06-12

(GUIYANG, June 12) -- Guiyang Mayor Yuan Zhou, the last torchbearer, lit the cauldron at Citizen's Square in the Jinyang city administrative center at 10:40 a.m., ending the 16.9-km leg of the Torch Relay here.
The relay had begun shortly after 8 a.m. from Guiyang People's Square, with 208 torchbearers taking part.

Beautiful Lijiang bids farewell to sacred flame

This photo shows torchbearer Shi Chunyang kissing the torch during the Olympic torch relay in Shangri-La in China's Yunnan Province, on June 11, 2008.

The Torch Relay in Xamgyi'nyilha kicked off at 8 a.m. on June 11. Excited locals stand alongside the relay route with a large banner, which reads, "May reconstruction work in quake-devastated Sichuan goes well!"

Aweto "Chinese vegetable caterpillar"-- an important medicine and tonic.

Updated：2008-06-10

(LIJIANG, June 10) - Beautiful Lijiang concluded its leg of the 2008 Olympic torch relay on Tuesday morning at 11:59 a.m. with the lighting of the flame cauldron at a parking lot in the town of Ganhaizi, 26 kilometers from the city.
In the afternoon, the relay team will launch another leg of the torch relay, this time in the third scheduled stop for the torch relay in Yunnan Province, Shangri-La.

Lijiang lies in the northwest of Yunnan, southwest of China, approximately 360 kilometers (225 miles) from the Tibetan border by in road distance and 270 kilometers (168 miles) from the Burmese border in land distance.
Like other regions in Yunnan Province, Lijiang is diverse ethnically, with Bai, Pumi, Yi, Tibetans, Miao, and Lisu inhabiting its valleys and mountains.
The average annual temperature of the year is 12.6°(54.7°)
The rainy season begins in late May and lasts until early November with storms possible in May and June.
Then the rest of year is the dry season with good weather. Wild flowers start to bloom give blossoms in late March in normal years.
Population: 1,060,000
Area: 21219 square kilometers (8190 square miles)

'City of Eternal Spring' hosts successful torch relay

People mourned for the quake victims during the launching ceremony of the Torch Relay in Kunming. Kunming is the first leg of the Torch Relay in Yunnan Province.

Torchbearer Wang Zigang (L) passes the flame to torchbearer He Zhigang (R) of the Naxi ethnic minority. The Torch Relay in Kunming concluded on June 9.

Torchbearer Zhao Shaohan waves to spectators during the Torch Relay in Kunming. (Photo credit: Xing Guangli/Xinhua)


Updated：2008-06-09

(KUNMING, June 9) -- Gymnast Jiang Shaomin, a native of Yunnan Province, ignited the flame cauldron at 11:41 a.m., marking the end of the torch's journey in the capital city of Kunming. Kunming is known by many for its temperate climate, which is why it has been nicknamed the "City of Eternal Spring." The sacred flame will head for Lijiang, the second stop in the province, this afternoon.

At 10:30, people flocked to the site of the closing ceremony. Thunderous applause created a joyous atmosphere.

A slight drizzle chilled the city this morning, but this did not bother the 208 torchbearers of 13 ethnicities, led by Zhong Hundi, known as a long distance running princess. All participants joined together to experience the sacred flame and to spread the Chinese people's love for the victims of the May 12 earthquake.

Covering a distance of 8.3 km, the Kunming leg started off at the century square in the Kunming World Expo Park. The closing ceremony was held at the Dalian Lake Platform in Min Village.

Banners reading "Rebuild Homes and Support the Quake-hit Areas," "One World One Dream," and "Kunming joins hands with Wenchuan" were seen along the torch relay route to express people's wishes and love to the Sichuan quake victims.

Ouyang Jian, a CPC leader, addressed the closing ceremony and presented the Torch Relay certificate to city officials.

The torch will continue its journey in Lijiang, a picturesque tourist destination in the province.

Athletic energy exudes from historic Bose

This photo shows a section of the Torch Relay route in Bose. Bose is the last leg of the Torch Relay in Guangxi Zhuang Antonomous Region.

Bose people greet the relay with flags all over the city. The Beijing Olympic torch relay in Guangxi Zhuang Antonomous Region concluded in Bose on June 8.

This photo shows the old site of the headquarters of the Seventh Red Army, located in Bose, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Bose is the largest city in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Updated：2008-06-08

(BOSE, Southwest China, June 8) -- On Sunday, historic Bose in Guanxi Zhuang Autonomous Region played host to the 2008 Olympic torch relay. Numerous activities set up to celebrate the event were participated in by the 3.8 million Chinese residents of different ethnicities in the city.

One of Bose's most interesting and unique athletic activities is a relay race made up of 3 to 6 runners on each team. Dressed in wooden shoes, competitors race to see which team is fastest. Holiday or not, Bose residents can be seen participating in this activity on any day.

Members of the Miao minority take part in a yearly activity which involves climbing a 10-meter long pole which is topped with a bundle of goods, including pork, alcohol, and other treats. The climb is a matter of not only who can get to the top the fastest or highest, but also who can climb the pole with a high degree of artistry, which often also means a high level of difficulty as well. The more intricate the climb, the louder the applause from gawking fans.

Sports have become a major part of the lives of Bose's residents. For example, to celebrate the numerous minorities that live in the region, in 2006, Bose organized the first traditional ethnic minority sports tournament.

"Everyone says Bose is an old district, but from what I see, this ancient region really isn't 'old.' Just the opposite, under the athletic spirit of Bose's residents and the continuous excitement that they use to welcome athletics, this old district's appearance is becoming younger and younger, more and more alive," said Lan Hongping of Bose's sports bureau.

Torch Relay's Nanning leg ends

This photo taken on June 7, the first day of nation-wide college entrance exam, shows a special routeway for local examinees along the torch relay route. The Beijing Olympic torch relay in Nanning started at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at Minzu Square in Southwestern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Torchbearer Qin Zhiyuan who just came from the Wenchuan quake area salutes with the torch to the dead during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Nanning, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 7, 2008.

The torch convey runs with the torch at downtown street of Nanning during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Nanning, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 7, 2008.

(NANNING, June 7) -- Chen Wenzhong proudly carried the Olympic torch shortly after noon on Saturday as he ran into the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center, where the flame was used to light the cauldron and mark the end of the Torch Relay in Nanning.

Chen, a sprinter and a Nanning native, was the last of 208 torchbearers who took part in the 16.5-km relay, which started at 9:15 a.m. with Wu Shude, a 1984 Olympic weightlifting gold medalist, running the first leg.

Mainly along Minzu Avenue, the relay route was planned with two considerations. First, as this year's National College Entrance Exam is being administered this weekend, organizers wanted to minimize the disturbance to students. Second, the chosen route contains several of the city's landmarks, including the South Lake, Wuxiang Square and the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center.

The Torch Relay will move on to Baise, Guangxi Province next.