A grand ceremony is held to welcome the Beijing Olympic flame in Kunming, southwestern China's Yunnan province on Monday, June 9, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

Retired Chinese long-distance runner Zhong Huandi (L) holds the Olympic torch together with Kunming's party chief Qiu He on Monday, June 9, 2008.

Retired Chinese long-distance runner Zhong Huandi runs the first segment in the Olympic torch relay in Kunming, southwestern Yunnan province on Monday, June 9, 2008.

(CRIENGLISH2008-06-09 13:53:28)The Olympic flame is continuing its journey in Kunming, the first leg in southwestern China's Yunnan province.

Asia's long-distance running queen, Zhong Huandi, kicked off the 8-kilometer relay as the city's first torch bearer.

The Kunming leg of the relay features 208 torchbearers from 13 ethnic minorities.

The torch will head to Lijiang city on Tuesday.