London Mayor Boris Johnson receives the Paralympic flag from International Paralympic Committee President Sir Philip Craven. The British capital hosts the next Games in 2012. [Xinhua]

Beijing, host of the 2008 Paralympic Games, bid goodbye to 12 exciting days of competition with a colorful invocation of autumn and a letter dedicated to the 2012 London Games during Wednesday's Closing Ceremony.

A packed Bird's Nest was treated to a colorful grand finale, praised by International Paralympic Committee President Sir Philip Craven as the "the greatest ever Paralympic Games".

The closing ceremony featured millions of artificial "red leaves" dropping from the rooftops of the stadium and a red carpet covering the center court in honor of 4,000 inspirational athletes.

A performer (R) sends a letter  dedicated to the 2012 London Games during Wednesday's Closing Ceremony. Beijing invited the world to join its tribute to a better future. [XInhua]

From 147 nations and regions, they won 472 gold medals and broke 279 world records in a total of 20 sports.

Each spectator at last night's grand finale was invited to send a postcard from the Bird's Nest with his or her best wishes.

Beijing extended an invitation to the world to join its tribute to a better future via a huge yellow envelope formed by dancers.

The ceremony reached its first climax when 100 postmen, hanging 60 meters above the ground from the National Stadium's giant roof, traveled between heaven and earth collecting postcards.

A children's choir then introduced a dialogue between the sacred flame and a Chinese girl with hearing difficulties.

Panama's Said Gomez and South Africa's Natalie du Toit congratulate each other after receiving the Whang Youn-dai Achievement Award for helping to improve the lives of people with disabilities. [Xinhua]

While they were whispering to each other, the Paralympic flame was gradually extinguished as an artificial mid-autumn moon generated by lights appeared inside the Bird's Nest.

Along with the real full moon worshiped by the Chinese as a symbol of union and perfection since ancient times, the two moons lit up the autumn skyline of Beijing together with a dazzling fireworks display.

"This was the greatest Paralympic Games ever," Craven, wearing a red leaf in his top pocket, told athletes and spectators.

"One World, One Dream and One People has become a reality."

After the IPC flag was handed over from Beijing to London, artists showcased the British capital's diversity of arts and culture in a compact eight-minute performance.

Beforehand, the ceremony devoted time to honor the Whang Youn-dai Achievement Award winners.

Whang, a South Korean doctor after whom the awards are named, was present at the Bird's Nest to present the eponymous honor to South African amputee swimmer Natalie du Toit and Panama's Paralympic athletic veteran Said Gomez.

Both not only won key medals for their countries but have also helped to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Whang contracted polio at the age of three but became South Korea's first female physician with a disability and has dedicated her life to working with people with disabilities.