Leading the way in what was described as the best Games ever, China exceeded its target by winning 51 gold medals, the most by any nation in recent history, and an even 100 overall.

The climax of the ceremony at the Bird's Nest Stadium was the extinguishing of the Olympic flame as the lone voice of seven-year-old songbird Yang Peiyi - to roars from the spectators - sang Ode To The Motherland.

Yang was the voice behind nine-year-old Lin Miaoke, who lip-synched the song at the opening ceremony.

The two-hour ceremony marked the end of 16 days of competition by 204 nations during which 38 world and 85 Olympic records were broken.

However, not everyone was celebrating. Police were called to quell tempers that flared in Wangfujing, the busiest shopping area in the capital, where thousands had gathered to watch the closing ceremony, only to find no TV screen had been turned on for the broadcast.

At Tiananmen Square, several thousand people gathered to watch numerous fireworks in huge circles after the closing ceremony, symbolizing completion of the Beijing Olympics.

And in Hong Kong, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department hosted Hong Kong's own closing ceremony of the Olympic live sites, which attracted thousands of people. <p>The Beijing ceremony combined Chinese acrobatics, ethnic dancing, and ethnic and pop songs by performers including Hong Kong artists Jacky Cheung Hok-yau, Andy Lau Tak-wah and Joey Yung Jo-yee, not to mention an appearance by footballer David Beckham who kicked a ball into the crowd to invite them to London 2012.

Australian Rebecca Williams, 28, who has been living in the mainland for six years, said the Beijing Games was the best Olympics so far. She said the Sydney Olympics was fantastic but China's was more culture-rich with more depth.

"The One World One Dream slogan to promote understanding between China and the world was achieved," she said. "Having people of so many cultures come to Beijing has opened the eyes of the Chinese people ... it has also allowed the world to better understand the advances China has made."

Williams said Beijing has made a great leap forward with the Olympics, including a higher awareness of environmental protection and getting rid of bad habits such as spitting and staring at foreigners. She believes the positive impact will be sustained after the Olympics.

Beijing Olympic volunteer Kang Kang, 22, also described the Games as an outstanding success. "As volunteers, we hear a lot of foreigners saying how hospitable we are, and the organizers also took good care of us. It was really a humane Olympics," he said.

Beijing Organizing Committee president Liu Qi said the three concepts of the Beijing Olympics - Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People's Olympics had been realized.

"Through this Games, the world has learned more about China, and China more about the world," added International Organizing Committee president Jacques Rogge. "These were truly exceptional Games."