BEIJING, CHINA: It's a case of being "so near, yet so far" for the Malaysian community in the Chinese capital, as far as the Olympic Games is concerned.

Many will be watching the opening ceremony tonight and the events live on TV, as tickets are pricey and also hard to come by.

Still, the excitement has got the better of them, just like millions who will follow the Games live on TV.

"I have not decided where to watch the opening. I am afraid the Olympic Green will be too crowded," said software engineer Nicholas Chan, 23, who is from Kuala Lumpur.

"But I want to be a part of things, to experience the Olympic fever."

Chan said he was still planning with his Malaysian friends on where to watch the Games' opening ceremony.

Low Mei Suan, 23, of Kuala Lumpur said she wanted to "feel the moment" with her friends.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be cherished and not missed," she said.

Low said that since today has been declared a public holiday it would not be a problem to go out with friends.

"We are very excited and are really looking forward to it," she said.

Christie Lee will have an easier time deciding - she made her decision last year when she knew she would not be able to get any ticket.

"I will stay home and watch TV with my husband and friends. I have checked the calendar and 08.08.08 happens to be on the 8th day of the lunar calendar too!

"What a coincidence!" said the 53-year-old former employee of Public Bank who took unpaid leave to accompany her husband for his Beijing posting.

Dr Grace Ting, 28, from Miri, Sarawak, said she had tried to get opening ceremony tickets when she was living in New Zealand a year ago before coming to Beijing.

"I failed and it is such a disappointment. But I managed to purchase tickets for rhythmic gymnastics from a private company in New Zealand," she said.

"So I'll watch the opening with fellow Malaysians here," she added.