The Beijing Olympic torch relay in Luoyang, China's "city of peonies", wound up at the city's gymnasium on Sunday.

Torchbearer Zhanghai carries the torch in the first segment of the Luoyang leg on Sunday, July 27, 2008.

Luoyang is the third leg of the torch's relay in Henan, the country's most populous province.

"The torch relay, witnessed by the 6.5 million Luoyang residents, has brought the Olympics closer to the city," said Luoyang mayor Guo Hongchang at a grand ceremony at the end of the relay.

"The Olympic spirit of higher, swifter and stronger will inspire the Luoyang people to build the city better and better," he said.

Altogether 208 torchbearers took part in the 6.9-km relay, which the local government says is a "intensive display of the city's charm."

The torch will leave for the next relay in Anyang City, the last leg in Henan.

Anyang, the hometown of oracle bone inscriptions, is one of the eight most famous ancient cities of China for its history and culture.

(CRI July 27, 2008)