FACTBOX: Olympic torch relay route in China

(Reuters) - The Olympic flame started its journey through Hong Kong on Friday, the first leg of its China tour after a controversial 20-nation world tour.

Many expect the flame to now have a smooth run on Chinese soil with the possible exception of its Tibet leg in mid-June, leading up to the August 8 opening ceremony in Beijing.

Here is the schedule:

CHINA*

May 2 - Hong Kong

May 3 - Macau

May 4-6 - Hainan Province: Sanya, Wuzhishan, Wanning, Haikou

May 7-10 - Guangdong Province: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Huizhou, Shantou

May 11-13 - Fujian Province: Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Xiamen, Longyan

May 14-16 - Jiangxi Province: Ruijin, Jinggangshan, Nanchang

May 17-19 - Zhejiang Province: Wenzhou, Shaoxing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Jiaxing

May 20-21 - Shanghai

May 22-24 - Jiangsu Province: Suzhou, Nantong, Taizhou, Yangzhou, Nanjing

May 26-28 - Anhui Province: Hefei, Huainan, Wuhu, Jixi, Huangshan

May 29-31 - Hubei Province: Wuhan, Yichang, Jingzhou

Jun 1-3 - Hunan Province: Yueyang, Changsha, Shaoshan