Tourists in Beijing can now snap up commemorative gold coins, plates, and bars at the Olympic Expo underway at the Beijing Exhibition Center.

More than 8,000 people have been coming to the Olympic Expo every day, where medals from the past Olympic Games are on display from August 8th to 18th.

A Chinese firm called China Gold Incorporation has made a 10-kilogram commemorative coin etched with intricate symbols of the Olympics and also of China. It is worth four million yuan, or around 570,000 US dollars.

Buying commemorative gold coins has become a popular way for many to celebrate the Games.

Mr.Li said, "I bought gold and silver Olympic commemorative coins for the 2008 Olympic Games. I spent 6,000 yuan on them. It doesn't matter whether the value will go up. I'm collecting them to commemorate the Games"

A gold miniature of the Temple of Heaven with five Olympic mascots on it is attracting many onlookers. Also on display is a gold carving of the Bird's Nest, with a price tag of 23,000 yuan, around 3,300 US dollars.

Most tourists are snapping up smaller coins as memorabilia or as gifts.

Ms Zhang said,"I just want my children to have some knowledge of the Olympic Games and to have something to remember it by. It is the first time for China to host the Olympic Games. I feel very proud as a Chinese."

Gold, which symbolizes wealth and prosperity, is the most prized of precious metals in Chinese culture.