Let the games begin!

The world witnessed stunning precision, size, scale and profuse color as China opened the 29th Olympics games. An epic display covering 6,000-years of history demonstrated that the new China intends to be a global player.

The Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics tend to drag on and can border on bizarre like Yoko Ono singing in Torino or monster trucks showing up in Atlanta. But, Beijing’s show was a thrilling artistic display incorporating a human pyramid, synchronized drummers, levitating dancers and an athlete running on air to light the Olympic torch.

Plus the firework display was phenomenal. It’s fitting that a Chinese invention would be celebrated throughout the evening, filling the skies of Beijing. As the golden footprints marched toward the Bird’s Nest, this Olympiad is undeniably China’s.

This should be a spectacular show.

Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images. And for more images from the Opening Ceremonies head to NBCOlympics.com.