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".
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| The fireworks and lights at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics beautify the National Stadium. Photo: Chen Kai/Xinhua |
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Armed police pile their bodies into a 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 |
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A Chinese traditional cultural factor "scroll" is presented at the opening ceremony. Photo: Xing Guangli/Xinhua |
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China's armed police perform in traditional costumes at the opening ceremony. Photo: Luo Xiaoguang/Xinhua |
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Chinese women perform in traditional costumes at the opening ceremony. Photo: Li Ga/Xinhua |
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| 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 |
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| Fireworks are displayed at the opening ceremony of the 29th Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 8, 2008. Photo: Wang Changshan/Xinhua |