Discovering the Wonders of Beijing National Stadium, the Bird's Nest

With a construction budget reaching 400 million USD, the Beijing National Stadium, famously known as the Bird's Nest, made a resounding impact during the 2008 Summer Olympics. It stands as one of the most remarkable sporting venues globally, from its unique 'bird's nest' architecture to its colossal capacity. This stadium isn't just a source of pride for mainlanders; it's also a renowned tourist attraction. Join Mytour in uncovering the fascinating aspects of this extraordinary structure through the following article.

About Beijing National Stadium, the Bird's Nest 

Beijing National Stadium, the Bird's Nest, was constructed for the 2008 Olympic Games. After the conclusion of the 2008 Summer Olympics, China transformed the stadium into a recreational and leisure destination. In 2022, once again, the stadium became the venue for both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2022 Winter Olympics. This achievement marked Beijing as the first city worldwide to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

A masterpiece of sports architecture crafted by Herzog & De Meuron Architekten, Arup Sport, and China Architecture Design & Research Group. The standout feature of the stadium is its steel frame enveloped in the shape of a bird's nest.

The Chinese National Stadium is built following the unique bird's nest model (Image Source: Collected)

To bring this legendary masterpiece to life, the team of architects invested extensive research and ideation. Construction of the stadium commenced in December 2003, but it wasn't until 2007 that it was completed. In 2008, the new National Stadium was officially inaugurated to coincide with the hosting of the Summer Olympics.

Despite the resounding success of the 2008 Olympics, the government faced a significant challenge. The pressing question then was: how to leverage this multimillion-dollar infrastructure investment, given the substantial expenditure? Eventually, Chinese authorities transformed the 'Bird's Nest' into a sustainable tourism revenue source through guided tours.

The opening ceremony of the Beijing National Stadium Olympics is always meticulously prepared (Image Source: Collected)

Information about Beijing National Stadium, the Bird's Nest

Where is the Bird's Nest National Stadium located?

The Bird's Nest Stadium is situated in the capital city of Beijing, China, south of the Olympic Green park.

• Specific Address: No. 1, Beijing National Stadium, the Bird's Nest, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

What are the opening hours of the stadium?

The stadium is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM. On public holidays, the stadium management will provide one month's prior notice.

What is the capacity of the Beijing National Stadium?

The Chinese National Stadium, the Bird's Nest, covers a total area of 20.4 hectares, with a built-up area of 250,000 square meters and a seating capacity of up to 91,000 spectators. This stadium project is designed for a lifespan of 100 years.

What are the ticket prices for visiting the Bird's Nest Stadium?

• Ticket price for visiting the 'bird's nest' building: 50 CNY/person (equivalent to 160,000 VND/person).

• Ticket price for visiting the entire stadium complex (including the theater): 190 CNY/person (equivalent to 610,000 VND/person).

The architectural concept of the Bird's Nest Stadium

Compared to other stadiums in China, the Beijing National Stadium, the Bird's Nest, boasts an incredibly artistic design. As the nation's representative stadium, it demands high standards of aesthetics and expertise. The sports complex draws inspiration from the distinctive patterns of Chinese ceramics. Therefore, it's no exaggeration to say that the stadium is an artistic masterpiece deeply rooted in national identity.

The entire architecture is divided into two main parts: the aquatic sports center and the central stadium. However, the most unique feature of this structure is the giant 'bird's nest' canopy made of large steel. It can be said that you won't find another sports stadium with such a uniquely striking design. From afar, the stadium resembles a majestic bird's nest reaching out to the vast sky.

The stadium has a seating capacity of up to 91,000 people but only allows a maximum of 80,000 attendees (Image Source: Collected)

Constructing the Beijing National Stadium, the Bird's Nest required 17,000 workers. Additionally, it consumed over 400 million USD and took nearly 4 years to complete. These 'speaking numbers' have proven the irreplaceable significance of the bird's nest stadium for China. No matter how many sports facilities China may have, the bird's nest stadium will always stand the test of time.

The Function of the Chinese National Stadium

The Beijing National Stadium, the Bird's Nest, was constructed to serve as the venue for the 2008 Olympic Games. It hosted various sports events including football, athletics, and more. For China, the Beijing 2008 Olympics was a significant event with national implications. Therefore, the overall design of the stadium is exceptionally modern and innovative.

From the outside, the stadium resembles a giant cradle symbolizing hope for a bright future. It's no exaggeration to say that this building marks a turning point, laying the foundation for the future development of Beijing as a capital city.

The investment budget for the National Stadium amounted to 400 million USD along with additional infrastructure facilities (Image Source: Collected)

Not only used for hosting international sporting events, the Beijing National Stadium, the Bird's Nest, also serves as a venue for stage performances, commercial events, and more. This has made Beijing the premier destination for hosting large-scale events nationwide.

In 2009, artificial snow-making machines were put into operation within the stadium, creating an attractive amusement area that quickly gained positive reception. The Snow Festival and Ice Festival became the largest winter events at the stadium. During this time, people often participate in snow-related activities such as skiing, bumper cars, building snow castles, and more.

Today, the Beijing National Stadium, the Bird's Nest, is not merely a venue for events. Instead, this massive structure has become the foremost tourist attraction in the capital. Additionally, it is also considered a famous tourist spot in Chinese tourism circuits.

Interesting Facts about the Beijing National Stadium

• Initially, the Bird's Nest Stadium had a capacity of up to 100,000 people. However, 9,000 seats were completely removed due to certain design reasons.

• The Beijing National Stadium, the Bird's Nest, was the first venue to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

• In 2009, Jackie Chan became the first artist to hold a concert at this largest stadium in China.

• The Beijing National Stadium ranks among the top 50 stadiums with the largest capacity in the world.

• 121,000 tons of steel were produced in China to construct the stadium.

The magnificent beauty of the Bird's Nest Stadium at night (Image Source: Collected)

• The Chinese National Stadium earns around 9 million dollars annually from entertainment activities revenue.

• Every day, this place attracts about 30,000 people with an entrance fee of 50 CNY/person.

• Over 60 different events are held annually at the stadium, including: Musicals, concerts, horse riding, etc.

Since its inauguration, The Beijing National Stadium, the Bird's Nest, has welcomed over 35 million visitors. The stadium is not only a venue for sports events but also an attractive sightseeing, recreational, and entertainment destination. If you have the chance to visit Beijing, don't miss the opportunity to explore this monumental architectural masterpiece. Contact the Mytour hotline of Mytour to book budget-friendly China tours with many exciting offers!