WUZHISHAN, Hainan -- The Beijing Olympic torch relay in South China's Wuzhishan city started at the Sanyuesan Square at 7:15 am on Monday.

Local residents perform a dance at a ceremony as the Beijing Olympic torch relay kicks off in Wuzhishan, South China's Hainan Province, May 5, 2008. [Xinhua]

Li Yuqiang, the ping-pong medalist of the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, opened the torch relay in the city.

A total of 208 torchbearers will run through the 31.34-km route that will end at the Merry Festival Square by Wanquan River in Qionghai city, passing by landmarks like Shimei Gulf of Wanning city and the permanent site of Boao Forum for Asia.

Thousands of local people were waiting along the relay route to cheer the Olympic flame.

The Olympic flame will arrive in Haikou, the capital city of Hainan Province at 22:00 on Monday and the torch relay in the city will start on Tuesday morning.