The Olympic flame carried by Chinese mountaineers to "the top of the world" has been reunited with the one on the main torch relay route, marking the end of the relay in China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Nima Ciren was the vice captain of the mountaineering team who took the flame to the the world's peak Mount Qomolangma last month.

"The joining of the two flames represents the good wishes of different ethnic groups in Tibet for a successful Beijing Olympics. Meanwhile, the Tibetan people are looking forward to the grand event as are other ethnic groups."

The 10-kilometer run in Lhasa began at Norbulingka, the biggest man-made gardens in Tibet, and ended in the vast square at the base of the hilltop Potala Palace.

About half of the 156 torch runners were ethnic Tibetans. Gangbung, a 75-year-old Tibetan "mountaineering hero," ran as the first torchbearer. The famous Tibetan singer Cedai Drolma was the final one.

"Being able to carry the torch on the roof of the world, I am very delighted. At this moment, I want to offer my sincere wishes to the Beijing Olympics."

Lhasa, the capital of the autonomous region, is home to the Tibetan, Han and Hui people as well as many other ethnic groups.
The Olympic torch relay will continue its trip in neighboring Qinghai Province on Sunday.