Beijing Olympic Park
Spot Introduction
Beijing Olympic Park, covering an area of 1,215 hectares, is the core area of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It includes iconic buildings such as the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) and the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube), serving as a crucial window to showcase Beijing’s modern architectural art and urban development.
As China’s first comprehensive park with the Olympic theme, it not only carries the glorious memories of the 2008 Olympics but also has become an important landmark showcasing China’s modernization achievements. The overall design of the park integrates traditional Chinese cultural elements with modern architectural concepts. For instance, the steel structure design of the Bird’s Nest is inspired by traditional Chinese ceramic patterns, while the membrane structure of the Water Cube symbolizes the form of water bubbles.
The park is equipped with comprehensive leisure facilities, including a 5-kilometer landscape avenue, a large music fountain, and a sculpture park. It is not only an important venue for sports events but also a popular place for citizens to relax and entertain. Every year, it attracts over 20 million visitors, making it one of Beijing’s most representative modern landscapes.
The construction of the Olympic Park fully embodies the concepts of “Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics, and People’s Olympics.” The park adopts a large number of environmental protection technologies, such as rainwater collection systems and solar power generation, making it a model of sustainable development. Simultaneously, it also serves as a window to showcase China’s sports achievements, housing the China Sports Museum with a vast collection of precious Olympic artifacts.
As a group of iconic buildings at the northern end of Beijing’s central axis, the Olympic Park echoes historical buildings such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, perfectly interpreting Beijing’s urban characteristics of “Ancient Capital with a New Look.”
Attractions Introduction
Whether it’s appreciating the beauty of architecture during the day or enjoying the light show at night, this place can bring visitors a unique visual experience.
Must-see Attractions
- National Stadium (Bird’s Nest)
- Main venue of the 2008 Olympic Games
- Unique steel structure architectural design
- Suggested visiting time: 60 minutes
- National Aquatics Center (Water Cube)
- Now transformed into a water park
- Blue LED bubble wall design
- Suggested visiting time: 45 minutes
- Olympic Tower
- A 258-meter-high observation tower
- Overlooking the panoramic view of Olympic Park
- Suggested visiting time: 30 minutes
- Olympic Landscape Avenue
- A thematic landscape belt showcasing Olympic culture
- Suitable for strolling and taking photos
- Suggested visiting time: 40 minutes
Visiting Suggestions
- Best Touring Route
- Enter through the south gate → Bird’s Nest → Water Cube → Olympic Tower → Olympic Landscape Avenue
- It is recommended to visit in the evening to enjoy the night view.
- Visiting Schedule
- It is recommended to go after 3 pm
- The night light show is the most spectacular
- There will be special performance activities on weekends.
- Practical Tips
- You can purchase a joint ticket to visit multiple venues
- It is recommended to book tickets online in advance
- The park area is large, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes.
Transportation Guide
- Subway: Line 8 Olympic Park Station, Line 15 Olympic Park Station
- Bus: Routes 82, 383, 386, 407, 628, etc.
- Self-drive: Can be parked in the underground parking lot
- Sightseeing car: There is a battery-powered sightseeing car service in the park
Recommended Food Around
- Beichen Shopping Center Food Street
- Capital Mall Dining Area
- Water Cube Restaurant
- Bird’s Nest Cafe
Special Reminders
- There are more tourists during major holidays, so it is recommended to visit during off-peak hours.
- Sun protection is essential in summer as there are many open spaces.
- Food and beverages are prohibited in the venue.
- Advance ticket reservation is required during large-scale events.
- It is recommended to visit on a sunny day for better results.
- The time of the night light show will be adjusted according to the season.