China is preparing to take the Olympic torch to the world's highest peak, Mount Qomolangma (better known as Mount Everest), as part of the 2008 Olympic Games festivities.

"Beijing has promised that the holy fire of the Olympics will reach the world's highest peak, and we are now preparing for the unprecedented relay," Liu Jingmin, vice president of the Beijing Organising Committee, told the Xinhua news agency on Tuesday.

Beijing Mayor Liu Qi made the promise in the bid document that was presented to International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch.

According to the plan, the torch is expected to reach the peak of Mount Everest via the southern slope before being carried down along the northern slope.

"A Chinese mountaineering team had successfully scaled the peak a few months ago, which can be seen as a trial for the relay," Liu said.

It is the second time that Beijing has bid for the Games. Sydney had beaten the Chinese capital the first time in 2000.