Why Trust This Article?
- • Author: Hesham Al-Daaja (based in China since 2019)
- • Last updated: Mar 6, 2026
- • Based on direct field experience with Arab travelers and buyers
Beijing Olympic Park: Bird's Nest, Water Cube & What's There in 2026
I'm Hesham, living in Beijing since 2019. The Beijing Olympic Park (奥林匹克公园) was built for the 2008 Summer Olympics and expanded for the 2022 Winter Olympics — making Beijing the only city in history to have hosted both. The two iconic structures are still there and genuinely worth seeing, though perhaps not for the reasons most tourists expect.
Quick Answer
Beijing Olympic Park was built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and features the iconic Bird's Nest stadium, the Water Cube, and a large green area for walking.
The Bird's Nest (国家体育场 — 鸟巢)
Designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron with artist Ai Weiwei as consultant. The interlocking steel structure weighs 42,000 tonnes. It held 91,000 spectators during the 2008 opening ceremony — widely considered the greatest Olympics opening ceremony ever. Today it hosts concerts and occasional events. You can walk the stadium floor and track. The quiet of the now-empty bowl is oddly moving.
- Entry: ¥50 — includes the stadium floor and a 2008 Olympics photo exhibition.
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily.
- Best time: Late afternoon — the structure is dramatically lit after dark.
The Water Cube → Ice Cube (国家游泳中心)
Where Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals in 2008. For the 2022 Winter Olympics, ice rinks were installed and it became the "Ice Cube" for curling. Today it operates as the Happy Magic Water Cube water park — slides, pools, wave pool. Genuinely fun for families (¥150–200).
Olympic Park Info
- Metro: Line 8, Olympic Sports Center station
- Outdoor park entry: Free
- Time needed: 2–3 hours exterior + walk
- Nearby: Olympic Forest Park (奥森公园) — massive urban park, free, great for running and cycling
Worth It?
The exterior is free and impressive. The ¥50 interior ticket is worth it for sports history enthusiasts. For most visitors, an hour walking around the park exterior then heading into the Olympic Forest Park is the better use of time. A private driver connects the Olympic Park with the Beijing Zoo or Summer Palace easily. Message me on WhatsApp.
