Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony

China kicked off the 2008 Olympic Games with a spectacular show in the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing on Friday - considered an auspicious day for the Chinese because of the date 08-08-08.

Athletes from more than 200 countries took part in the Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony. Renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou has put aside all of his film projects in order to dedicate himself to conceiving and directing this awe-inspiring show.

Director Zhang feels nervous throughout the Olympic Games opening ceremony and he was highly commented after the success of the fantastic display.

The latest high technology was a must to be used at the ceremony, said Zhang, as the directing team wanted the show to attract more attention from youngsters. The high technology coated the performance with dazzling shines and colors, making it a modern, cool and glaring show, he added.

Chinese basketball superstar, 7ft 6in Yao Ming carried the Chinese flag leading the national contingent which is the biggest among the competing nations.

China's 1984 Olympic gold medallist, gymnast Li Ning, had the honour of igniting the Olympic cauldron as he is lifted to the air during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.




Beijing Natives (北京土著) by 张伯宏, Chinese folk music in Flash animation. About 90% of the lyrics and the Flash are about the native culture of Beijing reflected in the everyday life, such as the melodic hollers of street vendors, the aroma of jasmine tea in the Siheyuan, the intoxicating bouquet in the Hutong, the Beijing opera and comic dialogues, the food, the drinks, the clothes, the people, etc.