Olympic torch relay kicks off in Songyuan

The Olympic torch relay kicked off earlier this morning in the Olympic Culture Park in Songyuan city, northeast China's Jilin province.

At the park's Olympic Square, 2008 pigeons were released along with 2008 balloons into the sky, before former Changchun official Li Shu started the relay. 110 torchbearers will pass the torch along an eight－kilometer route, accompanied by an ensemble made up of 2008 Matou Instruments.

Songyuan is located in the central west of Jilin province, and is known as one of the "the Best Tourist Cities in China". It is famous for its Chagan Lake.