Beijing Olympic Park is located in Chaoyang District, Beijing, at the northern end of Beijing's central axis, bordered by the south bank of the Qinghe River in the north, Beitucheng East Road in the south, Baimiao Village Road in the west, and Anli Road in the east. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction with a total area of approximately 11.59 square kilometers, including about 680 hectares for the Olympic Forest Park, about 315 hectares for the central area, and about 226 hectares for the Dragon-shaped Water System. Taking the sports venues of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics as the core, the scenic area integrates multiple functions such as sports events, cultural exhibitions, leisure and entertainment, and ecological landscapes. It is a comprehensive urban area integrating modern architecture, natural landscapes, and cultural history. The scenic area is home to iconic buildings such as the Bird's Nest (National Stadium), Water Cube (National Aquatics Center), and National Gymnasium, as well as large ecological landscape areas like the Olympic Forest Park, serving as an important cultural and sports landmark in Beijing and even the whole country.
History and Culture
The construction of Beijing Olympic Park began after Beijing's successful bid for the Olympics in 2001. As the main venue for the 29th Summer Olympic Games in 2008, it undertook important events such as the opening and closing ceremonies, track and field, and swimming. After the 2008 Olympics, the park carried out post-game utilization planning, opening up sports venues and public spaces to citizens, and becoming an urban functional area integrating sports, culture, and leisure. In 2015, Beijing successfully bid for the 24th Winter Olympic Games in 2022, and the Olympic Park once again became the core area of the Winter Olympics. The National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) was transformed into the "Ice Cube" to host curling competitions, and the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) once again hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, demonstrating the unique charm of the "Double Olympic Venues."
The design concept of the park integrates traditional Chinese culture and modern technology. The extension of the central axis and the layout of the Dragon-shaped Water System reflect the inheritance of traditional urban planning concepts, while the modern architectural style and intelligent facilities of the venues demonstrate technological progress. In addition, a large number of Olympic cultural sculptures and Olympic torch displays are set up in the park, recording the history and spirit of the Olympic Games and becoming an important carrier for the inheritance of Olympic culture.
Main Attractions
National Stadium (Bird's Nest)
Located in the southern part of the central area of the Olympic Park, it was the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies and track and field events of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. With a construction area of 258,000 square meters, it can accommodate 91,000 spectators. The building has a unique shape, woven from huge steel structures, resembling a bird's nest, and is a masterpiece of modern architecture. After the games, it is used as a venue for large-scale performances and sports events, and is also open to visitors for sightseeing.
National Aquatics Center (Water Cube/Ice Cube)
Located west of the Bird's Nest, it was the venue for swimming and diving events of the 2008 Olympics, with a construction area of 80,000 square meters and a seating capacity of 17,000. The building's exterior is composed of ETFE membrane structure, resembling a blue water bubble. During the 2022 Winter Olympics, it was transformed into the "Ice Cube" through the "water-ice conversion" technology to become a curling venue. After the games, it is open to visitors for water activities such as swimming and water play, as well as curling experience projects.
Olympic Forest Park
Located in the northern part of the Olympic Park, it covers an area of about 680 hectares and is one of the largest urban parks in Beijing. The park is divided into the South Garden and the North Garden, with the South Garden covering about 380 hectares and the North Garden about 300 hectares. The park has landscape features such as Aohai Lake and Yangshan Hill, as well as natural ecological areas such as ecological corridors and forest wetlands, making it a good place for citizens to relax, exercise, and get close to nature. The park has set up many walking trails and cycling paths, among which the plastic track in the South Garden is about 5 kilometers in circumference.
National Gymnasium
Located north of the Bird's Nest, it was the venue for gymnastics, trampoline and other events of the 2008 Olympics, with a construction area of 80,800 square meters and a seating capacity of 18,000. The building has a simple and elegant shape, and after the games, it is used to host various sports events, art performances and large-scale activities, such as figure skating and short track speed skating competitions.
Dragon-shaped Water System
Running through the central area of the Olympic Park, it is about 2.7 kilometers long and has a water surface area of about 16.5 hectares. The water system extends from south to north, intersecting with the central axis to form the shape of a "dragon", reflecting the image of the dragon in traditional Chinese culture. Walking paths and landscape belts are set up on both sides of the water system, making it an ideal place for visitors to walk and enjoy the scenery.
Olympic Declaration Square
Located in the central area of the Olympic Park, it is a cultural square established to commemorate the publication of the Olympic Declaration. The square is decorated with bronze reliefs of the Olympic Declaration and Olympic-themed sculptures and landscapes, making it an important place to spread the Olympic spirit.
Food
Beijing Roast Duck
A traditional Beijing delicacy, provided by many restaurants around the scenic area. The Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant (Asian Games Village Branch) near the Asian Games Village is recommended, with an average consumption of about 300 yuan per person. The roast duck has a crispy skin and tender meat, and is served with thin pancakes, sweet bean sauce and scallion shreds for an excellent taste. In addition, Quanjude (Olympic Village Branch) is also a good choice, with an average of about 200 yuan per person, where you can taste authentic Beijing roast duck.
Old Beijing Noodles with Soy Bean Paste
A characteristic Beijing noodle dish, which can be tasted in many shops inside and around the scenic area. Haiwanju (Asian Games Village Branch) near the South Garden of the Olympic Forest Park has an average consumption of about 60 yuan per person. The noodles with soybean paste are rich in sauce and the noodles are chewy. They can also be paired with Beijing snacks such as fried enema and hemp tofu.
Instant-boiled Mutton
A popular food in winter, the Yangdaye Shuanrou (Aosen Branch) is recommended around, with an average consumption of about 150 yuan per person. It uses high-quality mutton, which is tender and fresh, and is served with hemp sauce for a rich taste. The restaurant has a spacious environment, suitable for family and friends gatherings.
Beijing Snack Set
It includes a variety of traditional Beijing snacks such as douzhi (fermented bean juice), jiaoquan (fried dough twists), lvdagun (glutinous rice rolls with bean paste), and aiwowo (steamed rice cakes with sweet fillings), which are provided by some fast food stalls and surrounding restaurants in the scenic area. For example, the food square in the central area of the Olympic Park costs about 30-50 yuan per person, allowing you to taste a variety of snacks at one time and experience the flavor of old Beijing.
Coffee and Light Meals
Chain brands such as Starbucks and McDonald's are available in the scenic area for visitors to dine quickly. The Olympic Forest Park also has multiple beverage and snack stalls, providing coffee, juice, sandwiches, etc., suitable for enjoying during leisure time.
Tickets
It is free to enter the Beijing Olympic Park, and visitors can enter the park freely. However, some venues require tickets for visits, such as the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) and the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube), subject to the daily announcement of the venues. Special exhibitions or activities in the venues may require additional tickets.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "北京奥林匹克公园" in WeChat to get the latest updates.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "鸟巢" in WeChat to purchase tickets for visiting the Bird's Nest.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "水立方" in WeChat to purchase tickets for visiting the Water Cube.
Opening Hours
The park is open all day, and visitors can enter the park at any time. The opening hours of the Olympic Forest Park are: peak season (March 15-November 15) 6:00-21:00, off-season (November 16-March 14 of the following year) 6:00-20:00. The opening hours of venues such as the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) and the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) are usually 9:00-19:00 (no entry after 18:00), and the specific time may be adjusted due to event arrangements.
Tour Routes
Half-day tour recommended route: Enter from the south gate of the Olympic Park → Take photos of the exterior of the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) → Visit the exterior and interior of the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) → Walk along the Dragon-shaped Water System → Olympic Declaration Square → Exterior of the National Gymnasium → Leave from the north gate of the central area and go to the South Garden of the Olympic Forest Park to visit landscape features such as Aohai Lake and Yangshan Hill, walking for about 2-3 hours.
One-day tour recommended route: In the morning, visit the South Garden of the Olympic Forest Park, enter from the south gate, walk along Aohai Lake to Yangshan Hill, climb to the top to overlook the panorama of the park, and then exit the park from the north gate; have lunch and taste Beijing cuisine around; in the afternoon, go to the central area to visit the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) and the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube), and enter the venues to learn about the Olympic history and architectural features; take a walk by the Dragon-shaped Water System in the evening to enjoy the sunset; if there are performances or activities at night, watch the night view performances of the Bird's Nest or the Water Cube, with the whole journey taking about 5-6 hours.
Two-day and one-night tour recommended route: On the first day, visit the South Garden and North Garden of the Olympic Forest Park in the morning, experience the forest ecological landscape, and ride or hike; in the afternoon, go to the central area to visit the Bird's Nest, Water Cube, National Gymnasium and other venues, and stay in a hotel around the park at night to enjoy the night view of the Olympic Park. On the second day, visit the cultural facilities in the Olympic Park in the morning, such as the China Science and Technology Museum (separate tickets required); in the afternoon, relax near the Dragon-shaped Water System or participate in interactive experience projects in the scenic area, such as water activities in the Water Cube, and end the journey.
Transportation
- Subway: Take Subway Line 8 and get off at Olympic Sports Center Station, Olympic Park Station, or Forest Park South Gate Station to directly reach different areas of the park. Among them, Olympic Park Station can reach the central area, and Forest Park South Gate Station directly reaches the South Garden of the Olympic Forest Park.
- Bus: Many bus routes are available, such as taking Bus No. 82, 510, 607 to Beichen West Bridge North Station to reach the central area; taking Bus No. 311, 379, 484 to Olympic Forest Park South Gate Station to reach the South Garden of the Forest Park.
- Self-driving: There are multiple parking lots around the park, such as the National Stadium Parking Lot, Water Cube Parking Lot, and Olympic Forest Park South Garden Parking Lot. The parking fee is about 10-15 yuan per hour, which may be tight in the peak season. Green travel is recommended.
- Shared bicycles: There are shared bicycle parking points around the park, and visitors can ride into the cycling paths in the park (cycling is restricted in some areas, please pay attention to the signs).
Must-visit Attractions
- National Stadium (Bird's Nest): An iconic Olympic building with a unique appearance. You can enter the interior to visit the Olympic opening and closing ceremony venues, learn about the stories behind the building, and feel the Olympic atmosphere.
- National Aquatics Center (Water Cube/Ice Cube): Experience the technological charm of "water-ice conversion", visit the Olympic swimming competition venue, participate in water entertainment activities in summer, and experience curling in winter.
- Olympic Forest Park: One of the largest urban parks in Beijing. Walking around Aohai Lake and climbing Yangshan Hill to enjoy the natural landscape, it is a good place for leisure and fitness, especially the ginkgo avenue in autumn is particularly beautiful.
- Dragon-shaped Water System: Walking along the water system and enjoying the landscape on both sides. The lights are bright at night, and the night view of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube complement each other, making it a popular place for photo check-ins.
- Olympic Declaration Square: Learn about the history and spirit of the Olympic Movement, visit the relief of the Olympic Declaration and Olympic-themed sculptures, and feel the inheritance of Olympic culture.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to check the opening hours and activity arrangements of each venue in advance through official channels to avoid being unable to visit after arrival.
- Beijing Olympic Park is large in area, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes. If you need to walk for a long time, you can prepare a light backpack and drinking water.
- Pay attention to sun protection and heatstroke prevention in summer. There are many trees in the Olympic Forest Park, which can provide appropriate shade; pay attention to keeping warm in winter, especially when visiting outdoor venues.
- If you are interested in Olympic history and architecture, you can rent an electronic guide for the venue or participate in a guided tour organized by the scenic area to deeply understand the stories behind the attractions.
- Pets are prohibited in the Olympic Forest Park, please pay attention to the park regulations; smoking is prohibited in some areas of the central area, and relevant regulations need to be observed.
- If you plan to visit multiple venues, you can buy joint tickets to save costs; students, the elderly, etc. can enjoy ticket discounts with valid certificates.
Notes
- Abide by the opening hours of the park and do not stay in the park after closing.
- When visiting the venues, comply with the regulations in the venues, such as prohibiting the carrying of inflammable and explosive items and touching the exhibits.
- It is forbidden to pick plants or feed animals at will in the Olympic Forest Park to maintain the ecological environment of the park.
- When walking around the Dragon-shaped Water System, pay attention to safety, especially for visitors with children, and avoid approaching the water's edge.
- Multiple restrooms and trash cans are set up in the park. Please keep the environment clean and do not litter.
- In case of large-scale activities or events, some areas may be temporarily closed, and you need to follow the guidance and arrangements of the staff.
- Take good care of personal belongings, especially in areas with large traffic, to avoid loss.
- If you need to ride in the park, use shared bicycles that meet the regulations, drive in the designated cycling paths, and pay attention to avoiding pedestrians.