The Beijing Olympic Torch Relay has lit up the city of Dunhuang -- the first stage in Gansu Province.

The first torchbearer was Fan Jinshi, the director of the Dunhuang Academy. He began the Dunhuang leg of the torch relay on Saturday morning from the square of the Mogao Cave, a shrine of Buddhist art treasure.

A total of 120 torchbearers from all walks of life joined the run, which covers a 7.6-kilometer-long route. The historic city of Dunhuang served as the hub for silk routes in ancient times. The torch moves on to the city of Jiayuguan on Sunday.