After following the torch relay in Guangzhou, Shandong's Li Ruitao, who has been living in Guangdong's capital city for the past three years, arrived late last night with friends in Shenzhen to catch the start of the torch relay early this morning.

"We will also go to Huizhou and Shantou (the next two legs of the torch relay after Shenzhen) in the following three days," Li said. "We think it is a great chance to visit those cities, which we've never been to, because the relay usually follows a route that showcases the essence of the city. And we love the atmosphere during the relay, it is like a carnival."

Following the flame, however, can be an expensive occupation, as accommodation prices often get hiked.

"But you don't have to be rich to afford such a trip," Li said. "I am not rich. This is my first visit to Shenzhen, even though it is only two hours away from Guangzhou."

Li, owner of a small retailing business, was initially hesitant to spend his money on a torch-relay holiday. He said he had been watching the relay on TV, especially the Hong Kong leg.

It was a few days ago when he saw the sea of Olympic and national flags in Sanya, the first leg of the torch relay on the Chinese mainland, that Li was convinced he wanted to be a part of it.

To balance the books he bought a huge number of flags at wholesale prices and sold them during the torch relay at a higher price.

"I don't want to make a great sum of money. As long as it covers my cost of the day, that would be OK."

Li's friends have copied his example and together they plan to travel to other cities too.

Two hours after the relay started in Guangzhou the five of them sold 2,000 flags, which they bought at 1.5 yuan and sold for 5 yuan.

"I knew (the flags) were going to be bestsellers," said Li, who seems proud of his idea. As sales went so well in Guangzhou, he said they can take it easy in Shenzhen.

"We want to go to the starting point of the relay, even though there might not be as many spectators. But we want to follow the route so as to get to know the city better," Li said.

The torch relay today will start at 8 am with Xiao Junfeng, gymnastics gold medalist at Sydney in 2000 (gymnastics) carrying the torch from the Citizen's Center of Shenzhen. Wang Qihong, the disabled gymnast-turned coach of Shenzhen's athletics team, will run the final stage to Shenzhen Stadium.

A total of 206 athletes, public servants, managers, security guards, students and expatriates will take part in the relay's 40 km route, passing city landmarks such as the Trailblazing Ox sculpture in front of the old city government complex, Window of the World, Mangrove Nature Reserve, Diwang Mansion and the Deng Xiaoping portrait near Shenzhen Grand Theater.

The relay will last between 9 and 10 hours before it goes to Huizhou.

(China Daily 05/08/2008 page12)