CHINA teased the world with elaborate fireworks and performers decorated with blue stars as they held another rehearsal of the three-and-a-half-hour Olympic opening ceremony under tight security on Wednesday night in Beijing.

The extravagant light show also featured the inner shell of Beijing National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, lit in a vibrant red.

The ceremony is being directed by celebrated Chinese film director Zhang Yimou, who has spent three years designing the spectacle alongside a creative team of international artists and event planners.

Among his chief advisers is Australia's Ric Birch, who has been involved in all the opening ceremonies since he cemented his reputation as a creative guru at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Birch believes the world will be stunned by China's ceremony.

"The world can expect, of course, to be gobsmacked," Birch said in a recent interview.

Zhang has the great challenge of fitting 5000 years of Chinese culture into 50 minutes. But that hasn't been his only drama.

US director Steven Spielberg quit as an artistic adviser to the Beijing Games in February because of China's continued support for its oil-rich trading partner Sudan.

A report also emerged yesterday that indicated that this could be a "no fun" Games. In the wake of the government's dire warnings of terrorist attacks, increased security has led to a clampdown on nightlife ahead of next month's Games.

According to an AFP report, tighter visa procedures and inflated hotel prices are keeping tourists away. Add to that restrictions on car travel, and some are wondering if Beijing will be able to recreate the party atmosphere of Sydney and Athens.

"A lot of people aren't satisfied with the Olympics. In 2001, when Beijing got the Games, everyone was so happy, me included," said one Chinese musician, who declined to be named. "But progressively, it has all become so inconvenient for us."

And then there is the rain. Chinese state media say there is a 41 per cent chance of rain during the opening ceremony on August 8. Organisers said the event would be delayed if performers' costumes and their props were dampened in the rain. But the Chinese have a contingency plan.

Organisers may attempt to artificially influence the weather if rain threatens the ceremony, a meteorological official said on Tuesday.

"Although it is an emergency measure, the meteorological administration has made serious preparations on artificially influencing the weather," Chen Zhenlin told a media conference.

Chen said meteorologists had been carrying out experiments on artificial weather modification since 2003, particularly tests on reducing rainfall.

"For example, if there are clouds that produce light rain, artificial weather modification could bring results," he said.

However, they have no technology to prevent heavy rain.