Exploring the Marvels of the Avian Nest National Stadium, Beijing

With a staggering construction budget of $400 million USD, the Avian Nest National Stadium in Beijing made a resounding impact during the 2008 Summer Olympics. Renowned globally for its unique 'bird's nest' architecture and colossal capacity, this stadium stands as one of the most impressive sports facilities worldwide. It is not only a source of pride for the Chinese people but also a prominent tourist attraction. Join Mytour as we delve into the fascinating aspects of this extraordinary structure.

About the Avian Nest National Stadium, Beijing 

The Avian Nest National Stadium in Beijing was initially built for the 2008 Olympics. Following the conclusion of the 2008 Summer Games, China transformed the stadium into a recreational and leisure destination. In 2022, the stadium once again took center stage as the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2022 Winter Olympics. This achievement solidified Beijing's status as the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

Designed by Herzog & De Meuron Architekten, Arup Sport, and the China Architecture Design & Research Group, this sports complex features a striking steel frame resembling a bird's nest.

The Chinese National Stadium was constructed in the unique form of a bird's nest (Image Source: Collected)

Creating this legendary masterpiece required extensive research and conceptualization by architects. Construction began in December 2003 and was completed in 2007, with the stadium officially inaugurated in 2008 for the Summer Olympics.

Despite the successful conclusion of the 2008 Olympics, the government faced a significant challenge: how to utilize this multi-million dollar facility effectively? Ultimately, Chinese authorities transformed the 'Bird's Nest' into a sustainable tourism revenue source through guided tours.

The Olympic inauguration ceremony at the Beijing National Stadium is always meticulously prepared (Image Source: Collected)

Details about the Avian Nest National Stadium, Beijing

Where is the Avian Nest National Stadium located?

The Avian Nest Stadium is situated in the capital city of Beijing, China, to the south of the Olympic Green Park.

• Specific Address: No. 1, Avian Nest National Stadium, 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 prior notice.

What is the capacity of the Beijing National Stadium?

The Avian Nest National Stadium in China 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 Avian Nest Stadium

Compared to other stadiums in China, the Beijing National Stadium boasts an incredibly artistic design. As the nation's flagship stadium, it demands high standards of aesthetics and professionalism. Inspired by traditional Chinese ceramic patterns, this sports facility is rightfully hailed as a masterpiece of national artistry.

The entire architecture is divided into two main sections: the Aquatics Center and the central stadium. However, the most unique feature of this project is its massive steel bird's nest roof. It's safe to say you won't find another sports stadium with such a distinctive design anywhere else. From afar, the stadium resembles a majestic bird's nest reaching out against the vast sky.

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

Building the Beijing National Stadium required 17,000 workers and over $400 million USD, taking nearly four years to complete. These telling figures underscore the irreplaceable significance of the bird's nest stadium for China. No matter how many other sports facilities China may develop, the bird's nest stadium will endure through time.

The Purpose of China's National Stadium

The Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Avian Nest Stadium, was constructed to host the 2008 Olympics. It served as the venue for various sports events including football and athletics. For China, the 2008 Beijing Olympics was a significant event of national importance. Therefore, the overall design of the stadium is exceptionally modern and innovative.

Externally, 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 and lays the foundation for the future development of Beijing as a capital city.

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

Not only used for hosting international sporting events, but the Avian Nest National Stadium also serves as a venue for stage performances, commercial events, etc., making Beijing the epicenter of large-scale events nationwide.

In 2009, artificial snow-making machines were introduced at the stadium, creating an attractive recreational area that quickly gained positive feedback. Snow Festival and Ice Festival became the largest winter events at the stadium. During this time, people engage in snow activities like skiing, bumper cars, building snow castles, etc.

Today, the Beijing National Stadium is not just about hosting events. Instead, this colossal building has become the foremost tourist attraction in the capital city. It is also considered a renowned tourist spot on Chinese travel itineraries.

Fascinating Insights into the Avian Nest National Stadium, Beijing

• Initially, the bird's nest stadium had a seating capacity of up to 100,000 people. However, 9,000 seats were completely removed for certain design reasons.

• The Beijing National Stadium 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 seating 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 about $9 million annually from revenue generated by entertainment activities.

• Every day, it attracts around 30,000 people with an entrance ticket price of 50 CNY/person.

• Over 60 different events are held annually at the stadium, including: Musical theater, concerts, horseback riding, etc.

Since its inauguration, the Beijing National Stadium has welcomed over 35 million visitors. It's not just a venue for sports events but also a popular destination for sightseeing, recreation, and entertainment. If you ever visit Beijing, don't miss the chance to explore this magnificent architectural marvel. Contact the Mytour hotline of Mytour to book affordable China tours with exciting offers!