The Beijing Olympic Games ended on Sunday after launching 17 days ago under the slogan, “One World, One Dream."

Beijing said goodbye to Asia's third Olympics with a spectacular closing ceremony at the Bird's Nest Stadium on Sunday night.

The theme of the ceremony was “Harmony, Friendship and Happiness,” and was under the direction of film director Zhang Yimou, who also oversaw the preparations for the opening ceremony.

Weightlifter Jang Mi-ran, who won the gold at the women's over-75 kilogram event, bore the South Korean flag as the nation’s athletes marched into the Bird's Nest Stadium.

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

At the Games, Korea succeeded in presenting itself as a regional sports powerhouse, winning 13 gold medals, nine silver and eight bronze to finish seventh in the total tally. South Korea also outperformed Japan for the first time in eight years to finish second in Asia in total medals earned.