The Beijing Olympic torch relay officially embarked on its world tour as the charter Air China plane carrying the holy flame on Tuesday left Beijing for Kazakhstan's Almaty, the first stop of the 137,000 kilometers (85,000 miles) worldwide journey.

 

Olympic flame arrives in Almaty

The 2008 Olympic torch was lit eight days ago in Ancient Olympia, Greece, and was hauled back to Beijing on Monday.

During its one-day stop in China's capital, where the 29th Olympic Games kick off on August 8, the flame was given a warm-hearted welcome ceremony at Tian'anmen Square.

Chinese President Hu Jintao declared the start of the Beijing Olympic torch relay at the ceremony, marking the official start of the domestic and international torch relay that will end on August 8 with the Games' opening ceremony.