1. Planned relay route

The planned relay route has been defined. According to the plan, for the relay outside the mainland of China, 80 torchbearers are assigned for each day and they will run 250 meters each. Every day the relay covers roughly 20km and operates for 6 hours including celebrations on the starting and finishing points. Relay in Hong Kong and Macao involves 120 torchbearers respectively with slightly longer relay hours. Movement of the relay team outside the mainland of China will be conducted by chartered airplane, which is one Air Bus 330 airplane provided by Air China. For the relay within the mainland of China, 208 torchbearers are assigned for each day and each of them will run 200 meters. The relay covers 40-50 km and operates 10-12 hours each day. Movement of the relay team within the mainland of China will be conducted by air, rail or road among the 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities). Many highlights of the relay cities have been included in the route.

2. Highlights

The 21 relay cities outside the mainland of China boast lots of highlights. The flame is expected to reach a number of world-famous sites of interest, for example, the Winter Palace of St. Petersburg, British Museum in London, Eiffel Tower of France, Red Fort in New Delhi, Bangkok Grand Palace, Insadong of Seoul and the Hong Kong Victoria Harbour. The relay within the mainland of China is equally splendid. From the southernmost corner of China --- Tian Ya Hai Jiao in Sanya, Hainan Province, to the northern borders; from the Pamirs in the west to the coast of the East Sea, wherever it goes, the flame is to bring "Green Olympics, Hi-tech Olympics and People's Olympics", the concepts of Beijing Olympic Games to different parts across the country.

3. Methods of relay

The methods of Beijing Olympic Games torch relay are of great variety. In addition to running, the traditional way of torch relay, unique methods such as cycling, horse-riding, ship and train travels have also been added. The relay in London, the next summer Olympic Games host city, features the longest route and most celebrative events in all the relay cities outside the mainland of China. Moreover, at the end of each relay day, celebrations will be held in the city, which will inject greater energy and enthusiasm into the relay activities. By then, a joyful, passionate Beijing Olympic Games torch relay, fully demonstrating the Olympic dreams, will be presented to people from across the globe.

(China.org.cn March 19, 2008)