People power rocks opening ceremony

In the end, it was the sheer logistics of the thing that really boggled the mind.

Segment after segment, scene after scene, the Chinamen rolled out, in their dozens, in their hundreds and by the end of the 210-minute opening ceremony, in their thousands.

China's people power was the true star of the night as the world's most populated country celebrated its first ever hosting of the Olympic Games.

Among the highlights were the immaculately dressed traditional Chinese warriors as they hoo-ed and haa-ed their way through their routine, a giant revolving globe and a perfect human replica of the Bird's Nest as formed by the limbs of gold-coloured contortionists.

As it dismantled, the men and women streamed from the makeshift stadium reminiscent of a Sunday afternoon at the MCG after a game of footy.

There were nods to the past: heavily gowned dancers sashayed around fire-red temples which then rose to the sky as giant pillars, revealing gold painted dragons all around.

And to the present: dancing cinder blocks rippling with movement to represent the recent earthquake in Sichuan province, which killed almost 70,000 people.

Pink flowers rose from the tops to symbolise re-birth.

Unsurprising for the communist nation, which prides itself on sacrifice, conformity and unity, it was the en masse displays that were the most awe inspiring.

Sydney may have had an army of Hills Hoists and lawn mowers, but the Chinese came wielding drums, light sticks and for their martial arts display, nothing but themselves.

Tai chi, or kung fu, or it may have been a mixture of both featured as several hundred performers moved magically as one through a series of moves and spiral kicks.

Even their battle cries came as if from one person.

It was the same story with the opening sequence, when 17 long rows of perfectly aligned drummers kneeled in silence, counting down to 8.08pm and eight seconds local time, when the festivities would begin.

The number eight is considered lucky in China.

The drummers, running the full length of the stadium, allowed a few solitary bars to be played by a military band before pounding into action.

They jumped and swirled in unison and beat the drums first with their fists, then with sticks - the harder sound change provoked a gasp from the crowd.

Later, the stadium floor buzzed with so many people they appeared to outnumber the 90,000 that sat applauding in the stands.

Running full pelt at each other, it was a dizzying, awe inspiring display of coordination.

There was action above the stadium as well.

The Chinese made the most of a large projector screen that runs around the rim of the stadium, casting images from nature - waterfalls, fire and water.

Keeping consistent with the huge magnitude of their performance, the Chinese had obviously decided to hold nothing back at the conclusion of the ceremony.

A mind-blowing display of fireworks illuminated the night sky and Beijing's pre-Games problems were forgotten, at least for an evening.