Beijing Olympic Park is located at the north end of the city’s central axis and was the main venue for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The park features Asia’s largest urban artificial water system, the largest urban greening landscape in Asia, the world’s most expansive pedestrian square, and Asia’s longest underground traffic corridor. It comprises three main sections: Forest Park, the Olympic Central Area, and the National Museum of China.
The Olympic Central Area includes 14 competition venues, the Olympic Village, and the Media Village. The park also boasts the largest outdoor theater.
In the northern part of the central area, you’ll find the “Cloud Pavilion,” which showcases China’s intangible cultural heritage and colorful local folk cultures. These “miniature” exhibition halls focus on displaying natural scenery, local customs, specialties, and handicrafts in compact spaces. Most of these pavilions feature live performances by traditional folk artists, making them well worth a visit.
The park has three tourist information points, located near the north side of the Fourth Ring Road, the west side of the Water Cube, and the southeast side of the public area’s parking lot.
Travel Information about Beijing Olympic Park
Tickets and Opening Hours
- Tickets:
- Bird’s Nest, Water Cube, and Ice Ribbon combined ticket: 158 RMB.
- Single tickets: Bird’s Nest 100 RMB, Water Cube 30 RMB, National Indoor Stadium 20 RMB, China Science and Technology Museum 30 RMB, Forest Park is free.
- Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Transportation to the Park
- Location: Located in Chaoyang District, Beijing, at the north end of the city’s central axis. Bounded by the south bank of the Qinghe River to the north, Beitucheng Road to the south, Anli Road and Beichen East Road to the east, and Lin Cui Road and Beichen West Road to the west.
- Subway: Take Line 15 or Line 8 to Olympic Park Station, or take Line 8 to Forest Park South Gate Station.
Attraction Ratings
- Cultural Significance: ★★★
- Features: ★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★★
- Excitement: ★★
Highlights of Beijing Olympic Park
National Stadium (Bird’s Nest)
The National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, served as the main venue for the 29th Olympic Games. Its distinctive “nest-like” appearance is created by a series of steel trusses woven around a bowl-shaped seating area. The innovative spatial structure seamlessly integrates architecture and engineering, presenting a unique and aesthetically pleasing design with significant visual impact and dramatic effect. The stadium epitomizes the beauty of natural harmony. Today, it functions as a large, multifunctional venue for cultural and sports events, fitness activities, shopping, dining, and entertainment. It stands as a landmark sports building and a symbol of Olympic heritage.
Related Details:
- Visitor Information Centers: The Bird’s Nest has visitor information service centers on both the south and north sides of the first floor, which offer multimedia guide services.
- Photography Tips: It’s easy to capture a panoramic view of the Bird’s Nest from the plaza. You can also take a great shot of the stadium and its reflection in the adjacent artificial lake, providing a visually appealing effect.
- Winter Events: Every winter, the Bird’s Nest hosts a Joyful Ice and Snow Season, featuring activities such as skiing, snow tubing, ice bumper cars, snowland amusement rides, curling, and snowmobiles.
- Sunken Garden: The central park area includes a sunken garden, 9 meters below ground level. Large shopping centers and subway entrances are located on both sides of the garden. The plaza is often lively with people dancing and performing traditional folk dances, making it a vibrant place to explore.
- Linglong Tower: Next to the Bird’s Nest, Linglong Tower offers an observation deck on its top floor, where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire park.
National Swimming Center (Water Cube)
The National Swimming Center, also known as the “Water Cube,” is located on the west side of the Olympic Park Landscape Avenue. It served as the main swimming venue for the 2008 Olympics. Designed to mimic the arrangement of cells and the natural structure of soap bubbles, the Water Cube features an ETFE membrane structure, which is the largest of its kind in the world and allows ample natural light into the venue.
Situated on opposite sides of the central axis from the Bird’s Nest, the Water Cube and the Bird’s Nest complement each other, creating a distinctive “Cultural Olympics” landscape. After the Olympics, the Water Cube has been transformed into a comprehensive aquatic center, combining swimming, sports, fitness, and leisure activities. Notable attractions include the Water Park, the Discovery Center, and the Water Drop Theater.
Related Details:
- Visitors can swim inside the Water Cube for ¥50 per two hours (including showers and changing facilities), but they must pass a deep water test.
- The Water Cube features a Water Park with attractions such as the Deep Sea Tornado, Magic Whirlpool, Tsunami, Rapid Dark Surge, Marine Mobilization, Cube Castle, Underwater Shuttle, Crazy Tsunami, Bubble Pool, Dream Drift, and the Water Cube Grand Stage. Tickets are ¥200 per person and include access to all water attractions and performances. Additional costs apply for dining, shopping, and equipment rentals.
- On the fourth floor of the south building, the Water Drop Theater screens Olympic promotional videos and 3D films (¥20) daily. From 9:30 AM to 4:35 PM, it features films like “Water Cube Olympic Legends” and the 3D film “Sea Turtle Adventure.”
National Gymnasium (The Folding Fan)
The National Gymnasium consists of the main stadium, a warm-up arena, and outdoor spaces. It is currently the largest indoor comprehensive sports venue in Asia. The stadium’s operational areas include five major functional zones: a large performance area, a circus performance and event area, a small cultural activity area, a comprehensive service and entertainment area, and a southern plaza with adjacent leisure lawns.
The stadium’s roof features a unique folding fan shape, resembling flowing clouds with its graceful and dynamic curves. The vertical steel framework and extensive transparent glass curtain walls create a striking resemblance to an open Chinese folding fan, showcasing the essence of Chinese culture. The wave-shaped “Chinese folding fan” design cleverly connects with the north-south aligned “Water Cube” and the single-curved National Conference Center, harmonizing the urban landscape of the Olympic Park.
China Science and Technology Museum (Luban Lock)
The China Science and Technology Museum features a striking main structure resembling a giant Rubik’s Cube or a Luban lock, symbolizing the intrinsic connections between humanity, nature, and technology. The museum’s new building includes five major thematic exhibition halls: “Science Park,” “The Light of Huaxia,” “Exploration and Discovery,” “Technology and Life,” and “Challenge and Future.” It also has a public display area and four special-effect cinemas: a dome cinema, a giant screen cinema, a dynamic cinema, and a 4D cinema. The dome cinema serves dual functions as both a planetarium and a venue for dome film screenings. Additionally, the new museum is equipped with several laboratories, classrooms, science lecture halls, and multipurpose halls, including
“The Light of Huaxia” Exhibition Hall
This hall showcases ancient Chinese technological achievements and their significant impact on the progress of world civilization. It features important inventions and technological innovations from ancient China in areas such as metallurgy, agriculture, hydraulic engineering, textiles, architecture, and navigation.
Science Park
Designed for children, the Science Park is an excellent place for engaging with new knowledge. It includes interactive science performances and scientific fairy tales, with a focus on face-to-face interactions.
“Exploration and Discovery” Exhibition Hall
Located on the second floor of the main exhibition area, this hall is divided into two sections: A and B.
- Section A: Features five areas: “The Wonders of Matter,” “The Splendor of Light and Shadow,” “The Mysteries of Electromagnetism,” “The Laws of Motion,” and “The Wonders of the Universe.”
- Section B: Includes three areas: “The Charm of Mathematics,” “The Harmony of Sound,” and “The Secrets of Life.”
“Technology and Life” Exhibition Hall
Situated on the third floor of the main exhibition area, this hall consists of four sections: A, B, C, and D. It focuses on how modern technology impacts and transforms daily life, covering aspects of clothing, food, housing, and transportation, and highlighting the technological innovations and developments emerging in everyday life.
“Challenge and Future” Exhibition Hall
Located on the fourth floor of the main exhibition area, this hall is divided into two sections: A and B. It presents major issues and challenges facing humanity, the contributions of technological innovation to sustainable development, and visions for future living.
Related Details:
- Tickets for the Main Exhibition Hall and Science Park: Tickets are valid for the day of purchase. If you need to leave and re-enter during your visit, please remember to register at the ticket entrance before leaving.
- Science Park Access: The Science Park is suitable for children aged 3 to 10 years. Adults without children cannot enter, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Special Effects Cinemas: The special effects cinemas are not suitable for young children and elderly individuals. Children under 1.2 meters in height and seniors over 70 years old are not allowed to enter. Please take note of this restriction.
Olympic Forest Park
Olympic Forest Park, located at the northern end of Beijing’s central axis, is designed with the concept of “an axis leading to nature.” It is the largest urban green space in Asia and is often regarded as the “green lung” of Beijing. The park is divided into two main sections: the South Park and the North Park. They are connected by an ecological bridge that spans the Fifth Ring Road and is adorned with various plants.
The South Park features large natural mountain and water landscapes, while the North Park is known for its small streams and densely wooded areas with a natural, wild appeal. Notable highlights include the Yangshan (Crouching Mountain) and Aohai (Olympic Lake).
In addition to its stunning scenery, the park serves as a popular spot for locals to relax and enjoy recreational activities. Visitors can also observe the authentic daily life of Beijing residents. Given its large area, many citizens choose to come here on weekends for jogging and fitness activities.
Related Details:
- In the northwest part of the South Park, there is a sports area where visitors can engage in fitness and recreational activities such as tennis, badminton, basketball, and soccer. Every October, the China Tennis Open is held here, attracting top tennis stars from around the world.
- The park offers refreshing scenery, with vibrant spring flowers and beautiful autumn leaves of red and ginkgo trees.
- There are few small shops within the park, and prices are relatively high. It’s advisable to bring your own water and snacks.
- The park features three types of rubberized running tracks: 3 km, 5 km, and 10 km, allowing you to choose based on your fitness level.
Chinese Ethnic Museum (Chinese Ethnic Garden)
The Chinese Ethnic Museum (Chinese Ethnic Garden) is a large-scale anthropological museum that integrates the restoration, collection, display, and research of the cultures, artifacts, and social lives of China’s 56 ethnic groups. The museum is divided into two main areas, the North and South Gardens, featuring 36 ethnic villages. The North Garden includes notable attractions such as the country’s largest cast-iron observation tower, a simulated tropical forest, underwater caves, the Panlong Waterfall, the Alishan Sacred Tree, and the Cangyuan Murals.
Visitors can enjoy and participate in performances and activities related to various ethnic groups, including song and dance, festivals, traditional crafts, and competitive sports. Every day, over a dozen ethnic performance teams bring life to the villages with performances such as sheng (a traditional Chinese wind instrument) playing, folk singing, string music, spinning, and wax dyeing, creating a vivid tapestry of ethnic customs and traditions.
Visitor Guide for the Olympic Park
Transportation in the Scenic Area
- Shuttle Bus: Inside the base fence of the Bird’s Nest, there are Love Shuttle Buses specifically for children under 1.2 meters, seniors over 60, and disabled individuals. These buses have boarding points at both the north and south ticket entrances and run every half hour from two vehicles, looping around the venue.
- Electric Vehicles: At the South Gate, you can rent two-seater electric vehicles (100 RMB per hour, with a 300 RMB deposit), tandem bicycles, and four-seater bicycles. However, during weekends, it may be challenging to rent electric vehicles due to high demand, and you may need to wait in line. Additionally, electric vehicles, tandem bicycles, and four-seater bicycles can only cover half of the park. To explore the entire park, you will need to either walk (taking about one and a half hours to complete) or use the larger shuttle buses.
Accommodation
The area around the park is rich in hotel options, with a concentration of luxury hotels. Notable hotels in the vicinity include:
- National Conference Center Hotel (located west of the Bird’s Nest)
- InterContinental Beijing Beichen (situated in the park’s central area)
This region is one of Beijing’s main accommodation hubs, offering a variety of choices for different preferences and budgets.
Dining:
On the east and west sides of Olympic Forest Park, there are service centers offering a variety of food and beverages. You can find Western fast food like hot dogs and sausages, as well as Chinese box meals, fresh fruit, and popcorn.
At the Bird’s Nest
- Bird’s Nest Tourism Theme Creative Restaurant (located on the west side of the Bird’s Nest) serves a range of Chinese and Western fast food, casual snacks, and various healthy beverages.
- Ring Nest Sports and Leisure Bar (on the east side of the Bird’s Nest) offers sports memorabilia, daily necessities, food, and drinks.
- Gardener’s Garden Restaurant (on the third floor of the Bird’s Nest) features various set meals and banquet services.
Nearby the Olympic Central Area, Beijing Jinxuan Restaurant offers Sichuan cuisine and Beijing duck in a comfortable and elegant dining environment.