Torchbearer Chen Yongfeng carries the Olympic torch in Yuncheng in Shanxi Province on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. [Photo Xinhua]
Yuncheng of Shanxi Province embraced the Olympic flame at 815 a.m. on Wednesday. Zhang Weihong, a member of the Chinese Women's Handball team that claimed the bronze medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, was the first torchbearer.
The 9.8km Yuncheng leg of the Torch Relay involves 104 torchbearers.
The Olympic torch began its 9.8km tour of Yuncheng at Nanfeng Square, which is sometimes referred to as the city's living room. The most distinguished architectural feature of the square is a 148-meter-long and 8-meter-tall corridor.
A wide range of performances was held prior to the launching ceremony of the Torch Relay amid balmy weather.
Yuncheng is a historical city and has been the birth place of many notable Chinese figures since ancient times.
Torchbearer Zhang Zhiping carries the Olympic torch in Yuncheng in Shanxi Province on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]
Torchbearer Chen Limin carries the Olympic torch in Yuncheng in Shanxi Province on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]
Torchbearer Li Zhe carries the Olympic torch in Yuncheng in Shanxi Province on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]
Torchbearer Miao Zhongqiu carries the Olympic torch in Yuncheng in Shanxi Province on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]
Torchbearer Zhao Xiaokong carries the Olympic torch in Yuncheng in Shanxi Province on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]
Torchbearers Yao Shengzhou (L) and Lu Shuming hand over the flame at a checkpoint in the relay in Yuncheng in Shanxi Province on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]
