The torch was lit during a ceremony at Beijing's Temple of Heaven

The Paralympic torch has reached Dalian on its nine-day journey across China ahead of the 13th Paralympic Games.

The flame was lit in a ceremony at Beijing's Temple of Heaven, kicking off a relay across the host nation.

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao lit a cauldron to start the torch relay, which has since passed through Qingdao, Shanghai, Nanjing, Shenzhen and Wuhan.

About 4,000 disabled athletes from around the world will compete in the Paralympics, from 6-17 September.

During the initial torch-lighting ceremony, dozens of white-robed performers emerged from behind the gabled prayer hall flourishing national flags.

"This flame will symbolise over the next 10 days the unique sporting spirit portrayed by Paralympic athletes. This spirit overcomes many obstacles in the pursuit of sporting excellence," said International Paralympic Committee president Philip Craven.

"This is the Paralympic city now, no longer the Olympic city," Craven told reporters in Beijing.

"It will be a fantastic experience for the people of Beijing and for the Paralympians."