The National Stadium, affectionately known as Bird's Nest, is situated in Olympic Green Village, Chaoyang District, Beijing. It was designed as the main stadium of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The Olympic events of track and field, football, gavelock, weight throw and discus were held there. Since October, 2008, after the Olympics ended, the National Stadium has been opened as a tourist attraction. Now, it's the center of international or domestic sports competition and recreation activities.
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The construction of the National Stadium started on December 24, 2003. On July, 2004, the project was stopped temporarily due to the amendment of the design. On December 27 of the same year, the construction was resumed and finished in March, 2008. The gross cost of the whole project is 2,267 million Chinese yuan (about 33 million dollars).
The stadium covers an area of about 258 thousand square meters (99.614 square miles), which can accommodate 80,000 fixed seats and 11,000 temporary seats. Its appearance was formed by big steel frames. Its top surface is saddle-shaped with the major axis of 332.3 meters (1,090 feet) and the stub axis of 296.4 meters (972 feet). The tallest point of the stadium is 68.5 meters (225 feet) above the ground and the lowest point is 42.8 meters (140 feet). The top is covered by semi-transparent air bubble film. This kind of material is waterproof and can make enough sunshine penetrate into the stadium. Owing to that, the lawns in it can grow well. 
Beijing Olympic Green Map
In the National Stadium, the designs of everything are humanistic. The bowl-like stands zone surrounds the court. The stands can be changed in many ways, which can satisfy the needs of different numbers of spectators in different periods. During the Olympics, the temporary seats were set at the top of the stands zone. Rows of the stands distribute scientifically. No matter where the spectator is seated, the whole game can be seen without any visual obstruction. The stadium adopted the electro-acoustic public-address system. It makes the index of voice definition reaches 0.6. This number assures that all the audience can hear the broadcast very clearly. What's more, there are more than 200 wheelchair seats intended for the disabled. Many architectural experts think that Beijing National Stadium not only is a symbol building of the 2008 Olympics but also set a very good example to the world's architectural history.
Tip: Besides Beijing National Stadium, you may visit its neighboring attractions such as the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) and the National Indoor Stadium.
| Admission Fee | CNY50 |
| Subway | Subway Line 8 (Olympic Special Line): get off at Olympic Sports Center Station, get out of the station from Exit B1 (northwest exit) or Exit B2 (northeast exit), and walk north. |
| Bus Route | Take bus no. 82, 538 or 611 and get off at National Stadium East Station. Take bus no. 18, 108, 124, 207, 328, 380, 387, 409, 426, 558, 653, 694, 758, 803, 849, 985 or 特2 and get off at National Olympic Sports Center East Gate Station. Take bus no. 84 or 407 and get off at National Olympic Sports Center West Gate Station. |
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Travelers' Voices on Beijing National Stadium
1.
Nov. 18,2009 03:13 Reply
Mr.Abdullah(Bangladesh) said:
Hi,
I am Abdullah from Bangladesh and I am a Student. We are six planning to visit Beijing. Can any one tell me what we should visit during our five days staying? We like to stay in a low-priced hotel like US$15-20. Please suggest us in this regards.
Thanking you in advance.
Abdullah
Dhaka,
Bangladesh
Nov. 18,2009 20:50
Mr.CARMEN_01(France) replied:
Hi,
Beijing offers lots of must-sees. What you should not miss during your five days stay are Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Shichahai, Badaling Great Wall, Altar of Heaven, Summer Palace, Old Summer Palace, Fragrant Hill and say, Peking Universtiy since you six are all students.
For low-priced hotel, you can check out youth hostels in Beijing, such as City Central Youth Hostel (Chengshi Qingnian Jiudian), Gongti Youth Hostel (Gongti Qingnian Lushe), and Far East Youth Hostel (Yuan Dong Qingnian Lushe).
Wish you a good time :)
2.
Oct. 22,2009 09:40 Reply
Mr.zellseowck(Singapore) said:
Is the Bird's Nest and Water Cube lit up every night?
Oct. 22,2009 22:49
Mr.Eric replied:
Normally,they should be lit up every night.
3.
Jun. 17,2009 20:11 Reply
Ms.Cora said:
A good news to all swimming lovers! The warm-up swimming pool in Water Cube will be open to the public from June 21. This is the trial operation which will last till Oct.1, the National Day. The warm-up swimming pool is 2 meter deep. The swimmers should carry physical examination card and qualification certificate for swimming in deep water. It opens from 14:00 to 19:00 between Thursday and Sunday. The ticket costs CNY 50 for two hours and over-time will be charged.
Oct. 5,2009 00:12
Mrs.Francesca(Switzerland ) replied:
Hi Cora,
is the pool closed already for public access? I'll be in Beijing next weekend and I'm trying to get things organized.
Tks a lot
b.r.
4.
Oct. 2,2009 23:31 Reply
Mrs.Sadia(China) said:
is bird's nest open on the moon festival day, oct 3, 2009?
5.
Sep. 27,2009 05:14 Reply
Mr.Fiore(Italy) said:
Hi,
i am in Beijing since last Sunday, and I am enjoying the setting-up for the October 1st great celebrations for the 60 years of the Republic.
Do you know if tomorrow, monday 28th, the Bird's nest and Water cube will be lit up, and at what time?
Thanks
Sep. 28,2009 00:36
Ms.Cathy replied:
Mr.Fiore,
As far as i know, the Bird's Nest and Water Cube will be lit up as usual at around 19:00.
6.
Sep. 4,2009 20:10 Reply
Mr.john(Indonesia) said:
stay at novotel xin qiao chong wen men. how to go to bird's nest stadiu?
Sep. 4,2009 20:45
Mr.Goodman(cn) replied:
From Chongwenmen to Bird's Nest? Just take subway. First line 5 from Chongwenmen to Huixinxijie Nankou, then line 10 from Huixinxijie Nankou to Beitucheng, at last line 8 from Beituicheng to Olympic Sports Center. Good Luck!
7.
Sep. 3,2009 03:47 Reply
Ms.raak(S'pore) said:
I'll be visiting Yiheyuan & Yuanmingyuan in the day time. After that, how can I travel to Bird Nest? By subway or bus? Thank you.
Sep. 3,2009 04:15
Ms.Melissa(cn) replied:
By bus. Start from Beigongmen of the Summer Palace, walk about 100m to the bus stop, take bus line 696, get off at Yayuncun (Asia Games Village) after 12 stops. And then change to bus line 611, and you will be at east of Bird's Nest after 3 stops.
8.
Aug. 8,2009 22:56 Reply
Mr.Nolan(USA) said:
Can anyone tell me what hours the inside of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube are open to visitors? Are they open at night or only during the day? Until how late are the buildings lit up at night? Thanks.
Aug. 10,2009 21:33
Ms.Yoyo(cn) replied:
Hi,Mr.Nolan
The opening hours of the Bird Nest and the Water Cube are from 09:00 to 17:00. It only opens at daytime. And in terms of the lit-up hours, it seems they would only be lit-up on festivals.
9.
Aug. 6,2009 22:08 Reply
Ms.Nia(Indonesia) said:
We'll be in China for travelling actually we are all would be 5 people. Please inform us
if Normal-Taxi-Size may be allowed to carry 5 passengers??
Aug. 7,2009 03:29
Ms.Venus(cn) replied:
Hi,Ms.Nia. It is stipulated by the Transportation Law that Normal-Taxi-Size are allowed to take no more than 4 pessengers. So you have one more person.
10.
Jul. 27,2009 01:34 Reply
Mr.Fletcher said:
The service men and the retired military personnel of PRC can visit the Bird’s Nest (the National Stadium) free of cost on August 1st, the 82nd Anniversary of the Founding of People’s Liberation Army, the administration of the Bird’s Nest said yesterday.