Must-Visit in Beijing ,Bird's Nest & Water Cube Guide

Must-Visit in Beijing Bird's Nest & Water Cube Guide 

Bird's Nest (National Stadium)

• Location: South of the central area of Beijing Olympic Park.
• Basic Info: Construction started on December 24, 2003, and completed on June 28, 2008. It was the main venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the opening/closing ceremony venue for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Covering 20.4 hectares with a construction area of 258,000 square meters, it can accommodate 91,000 spectators.
• Architectural Features: The main structure is an elliptical "bird's nest" shape woven by steel trusses around the bowl-shaped seating area. It’s 333 meters long north-south, 296 meters wide east-west, and 69 meters at its highest point. It looks like a giant bird's nest – absolutely stunning, especially when the lights turn on at night!
• Post-Games Use: It often hosts large-scale sports events and cultural performances like concerts. As a popular check-in spot in Beijing, you can visit the "Dual Olympics" exhibition area in the Golden Hall, the 5th-floor viewing area, and the top sky corridor for a panoramic view of the core area of Beijing Olympic Park.

 Water Cube (National Aquatics Center)

• Location: Inside Beijing Olympic Park.
• Basic Info: Construction started on December 24, 2003, and completed in January 2008. It was the main natatorium for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the curling venue for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, achieving the "water-to-ice transformation" and also known as the "Ice Cube".
• Architectural Features: The outer wall is composed of over 3,000 irregular air cushions. From a distance, it looks like water molecules in the sea. With gorgeous colored lights at night, it’s the perfect spot for night photos!
• Post-Games Use: It houses Asia’s largest and most advanced indoor themed water park, featuring top-tier slides like the world’s first "Magic Cube Castle" and Asia’s first "Turbulent Wave". It also has an ice sports center, allowing locals and tourists to enjoy water and ice activities all year round.