GUANGZHOU - This southern metropolis is widely called the "City of Five Rams (yang cheng) because of its legendary association with the horned animal. But yesterday, local student Huang Wenguang discovered something very auspicious about the torch relay route.

It actually formed the shape of five rams.

"I went to the torch relay starting place very early in the morning when there have already been full of people," said Huang, a student from the Guangdong Institute of Engineer and Technology.

A torchbearer shares the joy with school kids during the relay in Guangzhou yesterday. [Xinhua]

Using his engineering mind, he discovered the entire 40.82-km Olympic torch relay route in Guangzhou, from the Baiyun International Convention Center to Tianhe Sports Center, formed the shape of the city's five rams.

According to a 2,000-year old legend, Guangzhou was once a barren land and its local people suffered from famine despite their sweat and toil. One day five immortal men came riding into the land on rams and played inspiring music. The rams held sheaves of rice in their mouths. The immortals left the sheaves of rice for locals, blessed the city and left. In an instant, the rams turned into stone and soon after the city of Guangzhou became rich and prosperous.

Huang joined hundreds of thousands of local people on streets to cheer for the arrival of the torch, which was carried by 208 torchbearers, including former Guangdong-born Olympic champions Guan Weizhen, Yang Jinghui and Chen Weiqiang.

When the torch arrived at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, a tai-chi-like dance show, or taiji, was performed for the crowd. There was also a traditional South China Lion dance performed by nearly 1,000 people.

"Everyone has his own way to gear up for the torch," said Zhong Huizheng, a 62-year-old retired woman who was performing taiji. "As an old-aged person, I would like to show my best by performing taiji to welcome the torch arrival,"

Prior to yesterday's show, Zhong had performed on many major occasions. As well as practicing taiji almost everyday, she also studied English at a night school.

"We are never too old to learn. That is also part of spirit in sports event," said Zhong, while showing a paper-made fan used in taiji," she said.

"I may not go to Beijing during the Games time but for us seniors, we will also cheer for the Games by actively taking part in sports."

Outside the hall, many taxis and cars on Dongfengzhonglu Road after a temporary traffic termination flew red flags, which read: "Go! China!"

The torch relay passed through many local places of interest, such as the city's highest point on Baiyun Mountain, the ancient Beijing Road and also the Pearl River.

"The specially designed route offered a best chance to appreciate the city's charm. That partly helped explain why there have been so many people, including foreigners, cheering and applauding the torch relay," said Zhong.