The torch relay for the 9th Asian Winter Games highlighted the charm of Harbin, the provincial capital of Heilongjiang in the northeast and the host city of the upcoming Games.
The one-day offline relay started at 09:00 local time on Monday, which covered an 11-kilometer route.
The relay began at the century-old Chinese Baroque-style Cultural and Historic Block, passed several of the city’s landmarks, including the Central Street and Harbin Flood Control Memorial Tower, and concluded at the Snowman Wharf, a snow entertainment park in Daoli District. The route is designed to pass some iconic attractions of Harbin.
A total of 120 torchbearers participated in the torch relay, ranging in age from 16 to 83. China's Olympic champion and pair skater Shen Xue was the first to light the torch and ran with it.
The oldest torchbearer was Heilongjiang-born athlete Luo Zhihuan, China's first world champion in winter sports.
Among other notable torchbearers were Wang Meng, China's four-time Olympic gold medalist in short track speed skating, and Yu Zaiqing, vice president of the Chinese Olympic Committee and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The Olympic flame will be lit at the main torch tower during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games on Friday evening, and will continue to burn until the closing of the Games on Feb 14.
Over 1,270 athletes from 34 countries and regions across Asia will participate in the 9th Asian Winter Games, making this edition the largest in terms of participating delegations and athletes.
Torch relay for Asian Winter Games unfolds in Harbin
Torch relay for Asian Winter Games unfolds in Harbin
