CCTV Headquarters

The construction of the CCTV Headquarters was launched in 2005 and finished on September 2, 2008, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of CCTV. Located in northeast corner of Middle Dongsanhuan Road and Guanghua Road Cross, south of Chaoyang Road, it's a new landmark in the city, CBD was born on the site of a motorcycle manufacturer.

The headquarters was comprised of the main building, the cultural Center and accessory facilities. The skyscraper (main tower) stands at 230 meters (768 feet) high with 54 floors. This untraditional building was designed by a famous architect from Netherlands. The structure of the building is regarded as a challenge to usual construction. It is in radical shape, with a loop base of six horizontal and vertical sections, and two buildings joined together in the open air, like two twisted 'Z's. The building is nicknamed by local people, Dakucha (meaning big shorts). International broadcasting is undertaken by the new headquarters. CCTV cultural center fire before 2009 Chinese New Year made this creative controversial building highly focused again. The burnt building back of the skyscraper is still standing over there. 
 

1. Take Subway Line 10 to Jintaixizhao Station and get out from Exit C.
2. Take bus 98, 113, 140, 405, 488, 650 or 687 to North Guanghuaqiao Station.

 

Located to the west of Middle Xisanhuan Road in Haidian District, Beijing, the China Central Radio and Television Tower (CCTV Tower for short) is close to Yuyuantan Park and Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Construction began in January 1987. In 1994, the project was completed and it was open to the public on October 1st of the same year. Taking up an area of 38 acres (15.4 hectares), the CCTV Tower reaches 1,268 feet (386.5 meters) tall and 1,329 feet if the lightning rod is counted in. Its base covers an area of 14,523 sq yards (12,143 sq meters). Many rehearsal halls are built below the CCTV building.
 

The square, the surrounding verandah, the foundation, the pedestal, the body, the turret, and the mast together constitute it. Its pedestal imitates double-tiered roofs of ancient Chinese palaces, while its turret (689 feet above the ground) looks like a big palace lantern. When colored lights glow at night, the CCTV Tower is like a giant lantern.
 

On the first floor, a gigantic stone carving is hanging on the wall of the East Hall, with 20 meters (22 yards) long, 8.7 meters (9.5 yards) wide and an area of 171.4 sq meters (205 sq yards). In the carving, you can see China's most distinctive mountains and rivers.
 

Inside it, visitors can visit the revolving restaurant, indoor viewing hall, open-air sightseeing platform, and Liuyun (white cloud) Hall, each on different floors.

The revolving restaurant on the eighteenth floor can admit 250 people and features Chinese and Western-style buffets. It takes 80 minutes to make a full rotation. Visitors can enjoy the cuisine while viewing the city sights. The indoor viewing hall is on the nineteenth floor. The highest post office in Beijing is in this hall. You can buy postcards from the office and mail them with the postmark of the in-the-air post office. The open-air sightseeing platform on the twenty-second floor is 238 meters (781 feet) above the ground, and is believed to be the biggest one of its kind all over the world. Chang'an Avenue, the Summer Palace, and other places can be seen clearly from the platform. Liuyun Hall on the twenty–third floor is the venue of celebrations and recreational activities.
 

Under the CCTV Tower, there is the Pacific Underwater World, a wonderful aquarium with hundreds of marine animals from fierce sharks to beautiful reef fish. You can also enjoy the graceful mermaid show and  interesting seal performance here.
 

 By Bus:
Take bus 40, 62, 77, 323, 368, 374, 437, 603, 624, 631, 698 or 977 to South Hangtianqiao, then walk southward for 200 meters (219 yards) to the gate.
 By Subway:
Take Subway Line 1 or Line 10 and get off at Gongzhufen Station. Then transfer to bus 977, 603 or 62 to South Hangtianqiao, then walk across the road and walk westward to the north gate.
Beijing Bus / Subway Search

Entrance Fee:	CCTV Tower: CNY 85 for adults CNY50 for children 1.2-1.4 meters (3.9-4.6 feet) and the old over 60 Free for children under 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) Pacific Underwater World:  CNY 90 for adults; CNY70 for children 1.2-1.4 meters (3.9-4.6 feet) Free for children under 1.2 meters (3.9 feet)
Opening Hours:	08:30-21:30 (Closed at 22:00)

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