A dramatic fall by Cheng Fei from the balance beam did not stop China from eclipsing the world champions by 2.375 points, while 2004 champions Romania settled for bronze.
The U.S. had entered the final with only four fit gymnasts and major errors on the beam and floor exercise -- both by Alicia Sacramone -- put them out of the running for the top prize.
"We really worked and we were well prepared but unfortunately we made two mistakes and you cannot win gold with two mistakes," said U.S. team coordinator Martha Karolyi, whose side had been weakened following the ankle injuries suffered by 2005 world all-round champion Chellsie Memmel and Samantha Peszek.
China's triumph meant the hosts maintained their 100 percent success rate in the gymnastics competition as their male counterparts had struck gold on Tuesday.
"I'm really excited, this is the strongest team we've ever had and we've won the most important medal on home soil," said coach Lu Shanzhen.
Ominously, he added: "The gold medal could attract more children to gymnastics in China ... and we will be even stronger in the future."
Since drawing a blank at the 2000 Sydney Games, the Americans have been the team to beat. They had captured 13 golds in the last six world championships, including two team titles.
After pulling off a string of spectacular performances on the vault and asymmetric bars, the two gymnastics superpowers headed for the balance beam with China holding a narrow 1.125 point lead.
Cheng, the most celebrated gymnast in China's young squad, appeared to have jeopardized their chances when she fell off the wood while attempting a full twisting backward somersault.
MISHAP
She barely flinched at the mishap and climbed back on to the apparatus to complete her routine to earn 15.150.
"I was still very calm, I knew I was going to have to do more to compensate for what I did wrong," she said.
But the Americans, who knew that three clean routines would carry them to the top of the standings, failed to capitalize on the 20-year-old's misfortune.
Their chance of glory evaporated within seconds after Sacramone, the first American on the beam, fell off as soon as she mounted the apparatus and could only draw 15.100.
The miscue triggered a crisis of confidence in Sacramone and when she moved over to perform on the floor, on which she claimed a world title in 2005, she fell flat on to her back after her second tumbling combination.
To add to her woes, she also stepped out of the area in her final tumble. Realizing she had almost single handedly destroyed American dreams, a shell-shocked Sacramone hurried down the stairs and crouched down on the side, burying her face.
When she finally had the courage to face the world, she lifted her head and was seen mouthing the words "Oh my God". Her score of 14.125 only confirmed her worst nightmare.
Fittingly, Cheng had a chance to redeem herself and the moment she landed her final tumble on the floor, the National Indoor Stadium erupted into joyous celebrations while her team mates burst into tears and leapt up in the air.
Cheng did not bother to wait for her mark to flash up and ran down to join them in a huddle. When she finally glanced at the big screen, it showed China had struck gold with 188.900 points.
Russia finished outside the medals in the women's Olympic team event for the first time by placing fourth. Japan, Australia, France and Brazil completed the final eight.
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