The picture taken on Oct. 22, 2006 shows the 15th Doha Asian Games Beijing Torch Relay ceremony at Zhengyang Gate in central Beijing. (Xinhua Photo)

The torch for the Doha Asian Games arrived here Saturday, with a four-hour-long relay running through the Chinese capital on Sunday.

The relay started at Tian'anmen Square, running through some of the city's most famous sites such as the National Theatre, the Drum Tower, the Lama Temple, the Former Asian Games village and the Ming Dynasty relic park before finally reaching the Temple of Heaven.

A total of 89 torch bearers took part in the activity, including some Chinese Olympic gold medal winners, top show biz stars and other selected people from different walks of life.

Thousands of spectators watched the relay along the route and gave their warm welcome to the bearers.

The 15th Asian Games torch, emblazed on October 8, will travel more than 50,000 kilometers during its 55-day tour through 15 countries and regions before going back to the host city.

Wang Qishan (R), mayor of Beijing, gives the torch to Olympic champion Yang Ling who is the first carrier at the 15th Doha Asian Games Beijing Torch Relay ceremony at Zhengyang Gate in central Beijing, Oct. 22, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

Torch carrier and crew jog past Tiananmen Square in central Beijing, at the 15th Doha Asian Games  Beijing Torch Relay ceremony Oct. 22, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

Olympic champion Yang Ling(F), the first carrier, holds the torch during the 15th Doha Asian Games Beijing Torch Relay ceremony at Zhengyang Gate in central Beijing, Oct. 22, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

Olympic champion Guo Jingjing(F) holds the torch during the 15th Doha Asian Games Beijing Torch Relay ceremony in Beijing, Oct. 22, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

Athens Olympic champion Wang Xu(L), the last carrier, holds the torch during the 15th Asian Games Doha Beijing Torch Relay ceremony in Beijing, Oct. 22, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

Editor: Yan