Beijing turned on thousands of decorative lights Monday night, more than two weeks before they are to brighten up the city for China's National Day on October 1.

The display, which started at 7:30 PM and was to continue until midnight, involved thousands of decorative lights on more than 30 overpasses and 150 buildings along Chang'an Avenue, the major thoroughfare in Beijing which partly runs alongside Tian'anmen Square, said Jia Jianping, an official in charge of the city's lighting display.

"All the lights used in the display were energy-saving lamps," he said.

Jia did not say when the lighting display was to begin formally.

Usually, the decorative lighting is on every night from September 30 to October 7.

"It was a different night. The city took on a beautiful new shine," said Li Jing, a local resident.

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2009)