Fireworks light up the Beijing National Stadium Sunday in Beijing , where the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games was held. Photo: IC Photo

More than 20,000 red lanterns are placed on the seats of the audience at the closing ceremony. Photo: IC Photo

Beijing is the only city in history to hold both the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. Photo: Xinhua

Children perform under the giant snowflake with a torch burning at its center. Photo: Xinhua

A huge Chinese knot hangs over the center of the stage. The Chinese knot is a traditional decoration with a history of more than 1,000 years. Photo: CCTV

Children carrying snowflake-shaped lanterns sit on snow carts during the closing ceremony Sunday in Beijing. Photo: VCG

Xu Mengtao (top) and Gao Tingyu, flag bearers of the Chinese delegation, during the closing ceremony parade of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Sunday in Beijing. Photo: VCG

Athletes from the participating countries gather on the stage of the National Stadium Sunday in Beijing. Photo: VCG

The “Moment of Remembrance” is an important part of the Olympic Games. This closing ceremony uses wickers to express remembrance. The wicker in Chinese pinyin means “to stay.” Photo: VCG

The 25th Winter Olympic Games will be held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy in 2026. Mayors of the two cities hold the Olympic flag during the closing ceremony. Photo: VCG

Two Italian performers embrace the earth on stage during an eight-minute performance. Photo: VCG

The eight-minute performance by Italy takes “Duality, Together” as its theme.Photo: VCG

China’s team took nine gold medals, four silvers and two bronzes, achieving the best results in the history of China’s participation in the Winter Olympics. Photo: VCG

The fireworks spell out “family” in the air over the National Stadium. Photo: VCG