Beijing will open 2008 Olympics with lavish ceremony

Beijing will be opening the 2008 Olympics today with a spectacular ceremony consisting of approximately 10,000 performers. The opening ceremony is expected to be one of the greatest Olympics ceremonies there has ever been, and an estimated four billion people will be tuning in to watch it all over the globe. There will be 35,000 fireworks let off, dancers, singers and other performers during the ceremony in the incredible Bird's Nest stadium.

The Beijing 2008 Olympics are said to be one of the most exciting events for the Chinese people, and with eight being a lucky number in China, it is even more special for the residents as the ceremony will be held on the eighth day of the eighth month of the eighth year, at 8:08pm.

The night will end with a procession of athletes from the 205 competing countries, entering in order of how many brush strokes it takes to write the country's name in Chinese. This means that Great Britain will be 105th to enter the stadium, with China being last as it is the host country.

08/08/08 is sure to be a day to remember for China and all of those involved in the Beijing Olympics.

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is a busy, modern city with all of the amenities of the Western world, including luxury hotels, an efficient transport system and plenty of places to eat out at. The city does; however, still reflect the culture of Chinese history. Beijing holds the biggest collection of ancient sites and relics in the nation. There are many attractions in Beijing which draw travellers from all over the world to the city. These include:

• Tiananmen Square
• Forbidden City
• The Temple of Heaven
• Great Wall
• Ming Tombs, and many more.

A popular past time in Beijing is shopping. Whether it is in the fashionable, modern malls or amongst the traditional markets, there is something for everyone. Authentic Chinese handicrafts are popular souvenirs with tourists in Beijing. Hand-made silk kites, clay figurines, paper lanterns, Chinese calligraphy and paintings can be found all over the city.

Beijing qualifies as an 'International City' when it comes to cuisine. As to be expected the authentic Chinese dishes can be found in all restaurants, but there are also eateries that will satisfy even the most westernised of palates.

The city is bustling and energetic both in the day and at night. When darkness falls bars and nightclubs become busy and lively, night markets open up all across Beijing and Opera houses and theatres fill up with tourists and Beijingers alike.

Beijing is a modern city yet still retains its traditional character and has something for everyone, young and old.

For more information about Beijing visit the Beijing Destination Guide at Travelonly.co.uk.