The Beijing Olympic Games, which attracted the global community to a world of inspiration and delight, has finally come to a close.

Beijing slowly brought the curtain down on Asia's third Olympic Games with a spectacular closing ceremony at the Bird's Nest Stadium on Sunday night, wrapping up sixteen days of spectacles.

Film director Zhang Yimou oversaw the preparations for the opening and closing ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics.

He said that while the opening ceremony was intended to show China's 5,000-year history, the closing ceremony was prepared under the concept of all people around the world enjoying the festival together and sharing joy.

As the closing ceremony drew to an end, the Olympic flag was transferred to London, the host of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, China nabbed 51 gold medals to lead the total medal tally, followed by the United States with 36 gold, and Russia with 23.

At the Games, Korea succeeded in showing its presence as a regional sports powerhouse, winning 13 gold medals, nine silver and eight bronze, to finish seventh in the total tally.