China Features

China won the most gold medals and the second most medals in the 29th Summer Olympics held in Beijing from Aug. 8 to Aug. 24, 2008. China has put 300 billion yuan (about 43 billion U.S. dollars) in hosting the Olympics, which was acclaimed as a most expensive and successful one in history and left the world with "the Beauty of Olympics".

The fireworks and lights at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics beautify the National Stadium.Photo: Chen Kai/Xinhua

Armed police pile their bodies intoa miniature of the Bird's Nest, the main venue for the Beijing Olympics, at the opening ceremony. Photo: Xing Guangli/Xinhua

The five rings of Olympic flag appear in a high-tech way at the opening ceremony.Photo: Li Ga/Xinhua

By setting off fireworks, Chinese contemporary artist Cai Guoqiang creates 29 footprints heading towards the Beijing National Stadium, also nicknamed the Bird's Nest, where the opening ceremony is being held. Photo: Jin Liangkuai/Xinhua

A Chinese traditional cultural factor "scroll" is presented at the opening ceremony. Photo: Xing Guangli/Xinhua

China's armed police perform in traditional costumes at the opening ceremony. Photo: Luo Xiaoguang/Xinhua

Chinese women perform in traditional costumes at the opening ceremony. Photo: Li Ga/Xinhua

American swimmer, Michael Phelps, garners eight gold medals at the National Aquatics Center, Water Cube, setting a record for one athlete to win the most gold medals at one Olympics. The photo shows he competes in the swimming final. Photo: Ding Xu/Xinhua

The torch is aflame at the Bird's Nest, the main venue for the Beijing Olympics. Chinese traditional visionary culture is passed to the world through the Beijing Olympics. Photo: Li Ga/Xinhua

Fireworks are displayed at the opening ceremony of the 29th Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 8, 2008. Photo: Wang Changshan/Xinhua