'When I was young I felt very lucky because so many people helped me, and I hope in the future I can help more children to feel lucky,' Yu, a 23-year-old aspiring music teacher said when asked why she should be crowned.

Last year's Miss World, Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela, handed over her crown to Yu, who wore a sparkling blue dress, in the futuristic Dongsheng stadium in the northeastern city of Ordos.

Remona Moodley (second from right) represented South Africa in the competition. She was First Princess in South Africa's top beauty pageant last year and was chosen to represent the country at Miss World 2012 as the reigning Miss South Africa, Melinda Bam, was unable to be at the competition citing personal circumstances.

Contestants leave their hotel ahead of the rehearsal for Miss World on Friday.

Nicaragua's Lauren Gabrielle Lawson Guerrero waits backstage during a rehearsal run of the event.

South Sudan's Atong Demach poses for the cameras for a moody pic of her in her cultural dress.

Panama's Maricely Pomares shows off her sexy cultural outfit backstage.

Miss Thailand Vanessa Herrmann, First Princess Miss Wales Sophie Moulds, winner Miss China Yu Wenxia, Second Princess Miss Australia Jessica Kahawaty, Miss Brazil Mariana Notarangelo, and Miss India Vanya Mishra as they celebrate.

Miss Mexico, Mariana Reynoso (far right), had been the bookmakers' favourite for the title, but failed to make the last seven candidates despite a strong showing in the early rounds of the pageant. Miss Wales, Sophie Moulds, came in second, while Miss Australia, Jessica Kahawaty (far left), finished third. Here they are pictured with Miss India, Vanya Mishra (middle).

Miss Japan, Nozomi Igarashi, holds her country's flag proudly while fans take photographs after the ceremony.

While the popularity of the contest, first held in 1951, has waned in the West, continued interest in Asian countries ensures that the final rakes in a huge global television audience.