Special report: 2008 Olympic Games  

    MACAO, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic torch relay was held here Saturday, with 120 torchbearers showcasing the Olympic spirit to members of public at different famous attractions in Macao.

    The relay started off at Macao Fisherman's Wharf, Macao's first ever themed entertainment attraction, located at Macao's outer harbor, five-minute walk from the Macau Ferry Terminal and Heliport. It occupies an area of over 111,500 square meters, combining entertainment, retail, food, hotel, marina, convention and exhibition facilities in one place.

Torchbearer Han Jing (R in red) lights the torch for the next torchbearer Kuong Sio Ieng (L in red) during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Macao, south China, on May 3, 2008. (Xinhua/Qi Heng)  Photo Gallery>>>

    The second spot Golden Lotus Square features a large sculpture of Lotus Flower In Full Bloom presented by the State Council of the People's Republic of China in 1999, marks the return of Macao to the motherland.

    The sculpture, made of gilded bronze and weights 6.5 tons, is 6meters high and the diameter of the flower is 3.6 meters at maximum.

    The lotus flower, which is in full bloom, symbolizes the everlasting prosperity of Macao.

    There are three layers of red granite at the base, which are in the shape of lotus leaves, signifying the Macao Peninsula, Taipa Island and Coloane Island.

    After running passed a number of grand hotels and resorts, the torchbearers came to the city's famous icon -- Ruins of St. Paul's.

    With a magnificent stone facade and grand staircase, the church was built in 1602 next to the Jesuit College of St. Paul's, the first Western college in Asia.

    In 1835, a fire razed both the college and the church, leaving only the dramatic facade standing in four colonnaded tiers, complete with carvings and statues. Today, many music performances are held there with its stairs and dramatic setting, lends itself as a natural stage.

Pang Tsz Shan holds the torch on a boat during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Macao, south China, on May 3, 2008. (Xinhua/Zhou Wenjie)  Photo Gallery>>>

    The sacred flame continued to receive warm welcome when it arrived A-Ma Temple, the most famous and picturesque temple in Macao, which helped give the city its name. The temple consists of prayer pavilions on four levels, set into a hill that rises from the waterfront of the Inner Harbor.

    Linked by winding paths and moongates, the pavilions are dedicated to the Taoist Goddness of A-Ma and the Buddist Goddess of Mercy or Kin Iam. In 2005, the temple became one of the designated sites of the Historic Centre of Macao enlisted on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

    The Olympic torch was also passed on by dragon boat on Sai Wan Lake, near the Headquarters of the Macao Government, where the yearly International Dragon-Boat Regatta were held.

    Ponte Governador Nobre de Carvalho, a dual-lane two-way bridge connecting Macao Peninsula near Casino Lisboa and the island of Taipa at the northern slope of Taipa Pequena.

    The torchbearers then went on the Sai Van Bridge which links Macao Peninsula with Taipa and also with Cotai making a smooth link between the southwestern end of Macao and the northwest coast of Taipa, and easing traffic flow.

Torchbearers file to the site of the starting ceremony before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Macao, south China, on May 3, 2008. (Xinhua/Zhou Lei) Photo Gallery>>>

    Following was the Macao Tower, which measures 338 meters in height from ground level to the highest point. It offers the best view of Macao and in recent years has been used for a variety of adventurous activities. At 233 meters, the tower's tethered "skyjump" and Bungy jump from the tower's outer rim, is the highest in the world.

    The tower is one of the members of the World Federation of Great Towers. Besides being used for observation and entertainment, the tower is also used for telecommunications and broadcasting.

    Before returning to and finishing up at the Fisherman's Wharf, the sacred flame went passed the Macao Cultural Center.

    The center offers unique venues for artistic events, conferences and exhibitions, increasing cultural interchange and helping to expand culture amongst the Macao population.