The Olympic torch relay has completed its journey through Tibetan capital Lhasa amid tight security.

The torch has endured a torrid global journey, marred by protests over China's stance on Tibet, with the first demonstrations taking place at the lighting ceremony in Olympia, Greece on March 24.

The torch was scheduled to enter Tibet for three days but the earthquake in Sichuan province forced a reassessment of the route and schedule.

The 9.3 kilometre relay through Lhasa started at 9am local time on Saturday with 156 torchbearers, including 75 Tibetans, while spectators were reportedly screened by security officials.

Dawa Yangzom, a 32-year-old teacher at Tibet University, carried the torch and expressed hope for the future.

"Through the relay, I hope people will see that Lhasa has returned to its normal days and they will visit here again,'' she told the Xinhua news agency.

The flame has already entered Tibet when a separate torch was taken to the summit of Mount Everest on May 8, exactly three months before the start of the Games. The flames were due to reunite in Lhasa on Saturday.

The torch is now scheduled to visit Sichuan between August 3 and August 5, immediately prior to its arrival in Beijing for the opening ceremony on August 8.

Palma Trily, executive vice chairman of Tibet, has also announced that Tibet will reopen to tourists "soon'' but did not reveal a specific date, only stating that it would not coincide with the torch's departure from the region.

More news from SportingLife.com