Olympic Park
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Introducing the Olympic Park
Olympic Park is a vibrant hub of sports, culture, and recreation located in Beijing. Olympic Park is built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Sprawling across 11.59 square kilometers (2,864 acres), it features centerpiece venues like the Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center), alongside other amenities such as sporting facilities, expansive green spaces, and public art installations.
No longer solely dedicated to athletic competition, the Olympic Park has transitioned into a vibrant hub for tourism and recreation. It continues to host major events, ranging from concerts and exhibitions to international sporting competitions, showcasing a legacy of athletic achievement and a commitment to community engagement.
The Olympic Park Fast Facts
• Name in Chinese: 奥林匹克公园
• Chinese Pinyin: ào Lín Pǐ Kè Gōng Yuán
• Date Established: 2008
• Location: 15 Beichen East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
• Visiting Time: 2 – 3 x hours
What to Expect at the Olympic Park
A visit to the Olympic Park should be the grand finale of your Beijing trip, not just another stop. It offers a potent dose of nostalgia, especially for those who remember the electrifying atmosphere of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Walking through its grounds allows you to relive the energy of the games while appreciating the sheer artistry of the structures.
The Bird Nest (National Stadium)
Dominating the park’s landscape, the iconic stadium designed by Herzog & de Meuron is an architectural marvel spanning 258,000 square meters (63.75 acres). Its interwoven steel beams, resembling a giant bird’s nest, give the stadium its memorable name and distinctive appearance. This magnificent structure hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics and played a key role again in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics. A tour of the stadium’s interior offers a close-up view of the intricate and impressive steel framework. Visitors can even walk on the very track where athletic history was made, including Usain Bolt’s record-breaking sprints.
The Water Cube (National Aquatics Center)
The Water Cube, situated next to the Bird’s Nest, is another centerpiece in Olympic Park. Its striking bubble-like exterior, inspired by the molecular structure of water, made it a standout venue during the Olympics, hosting swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming events. For the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics, this versatile venue was ingeniously transformed into the ‘”Ice Cube”‘, providing a fittingly cool environment for curling and wheelchair curling competitions.
National Indoor Stadium
Located in the southern part of the Olympic Park, the National Indoor Stadium, also known as the “Folding Fan,” boasts an iconic façade composed of translucent ETFE cushions, creating a visually stunning effect, particularly when illuminated at night. The stadium covers a total area of 80,890 square meters (20 acres) and stands as a landmark structure. Originally constructed for the 2008 Summer Olympics, it was later renovated for the 2022 Winter Olympics to accommodate ice hockey. The stadium has a seating capacity of over 18,000 and a flexible design, allowing for adaptation to various sporting and entertainment events.
The Olympic Green Park
The Olympic Green Park, a sprawling 680-hectare (1,680-acre) green space, serves as a vital “green lung” for the surrounding region. Its dense vegetation creates a thriving ecosystem within the Olympic Park. This expansive park offers a welcome escape from the urban environment, providing ample space for recreational activities such as leisurely walks, picnics, and kite-flying amidst its natural beauty. In addition, the Olympic Green Park features a variety of smaller venues, such as playgrounds and sports courts, and public art installations, including sculptures and murals.
The Olympic Tower
Just south of the Olympic Park, the striking Olympic Tower offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding complex. This unique structure, completed in 2014, comprises five independent towers, ranging in height from 186 to 246.8 meters (610-810 ft) and covering an area of 18,687 square meters (4.62 acres). Crowned with five interconnected rings symbolizing the Olympic spirit, the tower houses a rotating restaurant, a museum, and even a small post office, making it a multifaceted destination for visitors to the Olympic area.
The Olympic Park Visitor's Guide
Ticket & Opening Hours
• Entrance Fee: Free.
• Opening Hours: 6:30 – 22:00 (May – Oct), 7:30 – 21:30 (Nov – Apr).
How to Get There
• By Subway: Take subway line 8 to Aotizhongxin (National Olympic Sports Center).
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