The London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony sparks amusement in Beijing - host of the Games four years ago.
Director, Danny Boyle's rendition of the William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew was described in Chinese newspapers as "spectacular" and "very English"
This anchorwoman for state television CCTV said the $42 million show was a humorous "feast for the eyes."
But for some, the show could not compare to Beijing's 2008 spectacle.
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 20-YEAR-OLD BEIJING RESIDENT CHEN YE SAYING:
"The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games was grander, as it didn't just show the Olympian spirit but also Chinese history dating back thousands of years. So I think the Beijing opening was more spectacular."
Over the next two and a half weeks more than 10,000 athletes from 204 countries will compete in 26 sports in the only city to have staged the modern Games three times.
Sarah Wali,
Reuters
