Beijing Olympic Park - Legacy of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Beijing National Stadium (国家体育场), the main stadium of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, is in the south of the central area of Beijing Olympic Park. It is more known to the public as Bird’s Nest because of its general outline. The project covers a total area of 21 hectares, with about 91,000 (80,000 are left after the Games) seats for spectators. In 2008, the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, track and field competitions, and football finals were held here. The external structure of the Bird's Nest is mainly composed of huge portal steel frames. They support each other and form a grid-like outline, which looks like a bird's nest made of branches. In Chinese culture, nest represents the cradle of life which holds the hope of human future. Designers did not do any superfluous treatment to the venue, so the structure of the building is directly exposed to visitors, which forms a massive visual shock. In 2022, the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games will also be held here.

Water Cube - Beijing National Aquatics Center

Ticket: CNY 48

Opening Hours: 10:30 ~ 20:30

Beijing National Aquatics Center is just opposite to the Bird’s Nest across the street. It is the venue that hosted swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and other competitions in 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. It has a capacity of 17,000, including 6,000 permanent seats and 11,000 temporary seats which will be dismantled after the Games. When you see the building, you will get why it is nicknamed Water Cube. Looked from the outside, it seems to be enclosed by numerous watery bubbles. It all contributes to the most advanced environmental protection and energy saving ETFE membrane material used on the periphery of the building. Water Cube is the largest membrane structure project in the world. It contains 3065 air cushions in various sizes (the smallest is 1-2 square meters and the largest reaches 70 square meters). If you visit Water Cube at night, you will see the bubbles present different colors.

☛ Valuable Beijing tour packages including Bird’s Nest and Water Cube

Beijing National Indoor Stadium (国家体育馆)

The National Indoor Stadium is one of the three main venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which is now not open to the public. Viewing from a distance, the erect steel structure is like an open Chinese folding fan against a large area of crystal-clear glass curtain wall, and the wavy curves on the roof are like the ribbons dancing in rhythmic gymnastics. It is adjacent to the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, forming a distinctive architectural community. Being the largest indoor comprehensive gymnasium in China, it covers an area of 6.87 hectares and has a capacity of about 20000. It hosted artistic gymnastics, trampoline, and handball events during the Olympics.

Olympic Forest Park (奥林匹克森林公园)

Ticket: Free

Opening Hours: 6:00 ~ 21:00 (15 March - 15 November); 6:00 ~ 20:00 (16 November - 14 March)

Olympic Forest Park is at the northern part of Olympic Green. The "back garden" of the 29th Olympic Games is rich in forest resources and the green coverage ratio has reached 95.61%. It is the largest urban park in Beijing and the closest Forest Park to Beijing residents. With an area of 680 hectares, it is larger than the sum of Summer Palace and old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan), and is the size of 10 Beihai parks. The main mountain Yangshan is on the central axis of Beijing city, echoing Jingshan in the south near the Forbidden City. It not only conforms to the tradition of Chinese garden construction, but also complements the surrounding environment.

Beijing Olympic Park is located in Chaoyang District, on the north of the central axis of Beijing City. It covers an area of 11.59 square kilometers, stretching northwards to the southern bank of Qinghe River, southwards to Beitucheng Road, eastwards to Anli Road and Beichen East Road, and westwards to Lincui Road and Beichen West Road.

From Tian'anmen Square (Beijing Center): about 14km, 55 minutes’ drive

From the Forbidden City: about 13km, 50 minutes’ drive

From the Temple of Heaven: about 18km, 1 hour's drive

From the Summer Palace: about 13km, 30 minutes’ drive

From Beijing South Railway Station: about 21km, 70 minutes’ drive

From Beijing Capital International Airport: about 32km, 1 hour’s drive

As the Beijing Olympic Park is located outside the center of the Beijing city, you may encounter troublesome traffic jam or language barriers along your way to there. If you want to get rid of the hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a Beijing Olympic Park tour package that covers sightseeing, dining, lodging, and transfer from us. As part of our valuable Beijing tour packages, our skilled driver and experienced guide will pick you up wherever you are in Beijing including the airport, train stations, and busy scenic areas, etc. It's time-saving and much more safe and you will be escorted all the way to the Beijing Olympic Park with comfortable travelling experience and professional travelling guidance. If you need any help, please feel free to contact us >>

To explore Beijing's highlights, such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall (with Mutianyu as the top recommendation), the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the Beijing Hutongs - plan for about 4 days, including arrival and departure.

☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package

☛ 3 Days Beijing Essential Highlights Tour

If you have extra days, consider hiking the scenic Jinshanling Great Wall, enjoying the stunning night views of Simatai Great Wall, or visiting other sections like Huanghuacheng, Gubeikou, and Juyongguan.

☛ 4 Days Beijing Essence Tour with Simatai Great Wall Night Sightseeing

☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour with Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking

Families with children should not miss Universal Beijing Resort, while museum enthusiasts should visit the National Museum of China, home to the nation's most valuable treasures.

☛ 5 Days Beijing Family-friendly Tour with Universal Studios Fun

☛ 5 Days In-depth Beijing Tour with History and Culture Discovery

As a major transportation hub, Beijing offers easy access to other top destinations in China by flight or train, such as Xi'an, Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu, and Tibet. China Discovery provides a variety of tour packages from Beijing, or we can customize an itinerary to suit your preferences.

Recommended Beijing Tours with Other Top Cities in China:

☛ 6 Days Classic Beijing Xian High-speed Train Tour

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We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable wonderful trips to Beijing for the past few years. Among them, a special team of over 50 VIPKID teachers from North America traveled with us to see their dear studends in China with amazing experience in Beijing and shared us their special travel story! Travel with China Discovery to create your great China trip memories!