Olympic Park [ Related Itinerary ]

Olympic Park is the place holding 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and after the game it became one of the modern landmarks of Beijing. Totally covers an area of 11.59 square kilometers, it mainly consists of Three Scenic Spots: National Stadium (Bird's Nest), National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) and Olympic Forest Park.

National Stadium, also named the "Bird's Nest", was the main venue of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The total construction cost was more than 2.2 billion. It is 333 meters long from north to south and 294 meters wide from east to west, with 24 truss pillars in total. It is a colossal saddle-shaped elliptic steel structure with the highest point of 68.5 meters and the lowest point of 42.8 meters. Here hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, athletic events, and football final of 2008 Olympics.

National Aquatics Center, also named the "Water Cube", resembles a box of bubble wrap. As colloquially known, it is layered with plastic bubbles to provide strength and concentrate natural light and heat, reducing energy requirements. The total seating capacity is 17,000, including 6,000 permanent and 11,000 temporary for games. It was the venue for swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water-polo final during the Olympic Games. And it seems to get more regular use than the Bird's Nest opposite. Now the Water Cube houses the Happy Magic Water Park, a fun place with crazy slides and goofy wave pools, where is the ideal place for leisure with family and friends all the year round.

Another important part of the Olympic Park is the Olympic Forest Park. The Forest Park consists of two parts: the southern park and the northern park. In the southern park you will see the grand artificial Lake and mountain designed with traditional Chinese garden art. While different from the human works, in the northern park there is large scale of green coverage which is more close to nature. An expressway that crosses over the Fifth Ring Road makes an ecological corridor between the two parks. Strolling the park is free, and bikes and electric scooters are available for rent.

The Olympic Park provide the charming night view. If time allows, never miss this impressive scenery in Beijing.


Related Itinerary