"Through the Beijing Games' flawless organisation, brilliant sporting performances and friendly atmosphere, an image of an entirely new great country appeared before the world," the popular Beijing Youth Daily said.
Echoing other press reports, it said the Games had helped to further China's engagement with the world.
"Even though the Beijing Games have ended, China's opening up and exchanges with the world will not cease, and the Chinese people's participation in the development and improvement of mankind will not change," it said.
The English-language China Daily, which is targeted at a foreign audience, said the Games marked the pinnacle of China's gradual re-engagement with the world that began 30 years ago under former leader Deng Xiaoping.
"The Games was a historic climax of three decades of China opening to the world. It was also a moment for the world to take a new look at China," it said.
The commentaries avoided mention of controversies surrounding the Games.
These included China's crushing of dissent before and during the Olympics and curbs on foreign reporters, both of which violated promises made in Beijing's bid to host the Games.
China also was continuing harsh security crackdowns in Tibet and the Muslim western region of Xinjiang -- which have drawn heavy foreign criticism -- following violent unrest triggered by anger over China's iron-fisted control.
Xinhua news agency, in a commentary late Sunday, said China had fulfilled its Olympic commitments, including press freedom.
"The government fulfilled its Olympic bid commitments promising that reporters would be able to report the Games freely," it said.
The People's Daily, the Communist Party's primary mouthpiece, carried only a mild editorial stressing that the event fostered goodwill among nations.
"Never before has the world needed mutual understanding and tolerance as today, and never before has the Olympic spirit been shared as today, building a bridge of unity and friendship," it said.