[NEW] The Bird's Nest Stadium - Unique Architecture in the Heart of Beijing

An overview of the Bird's Nest Stadium

• Address: Beijing Olympic Park (Olympic Green), Chaoyang District, Beijing
• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM (April - October) & 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (November - March)
• Ticket Price: 50 CNY. Free for children under 1.2 meters tall

The Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, was constructed primarily to host the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing, China.

A panoramic view of the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing, China

Since October 2008, after the conclusion of the Olympics, the stadium has opened its doors to tourists. Additionally, it now serves as a hub for hosting domestic and international sports competitions and entertainment events.

The Beijing National Stadium spans approximately 25.8 hectares, with a length of 333 meters, a width of 294 meters, and a maximum height of 68.5 meters. It has a seating capacity of 80,000 permanent seats and 11,000 temporary seats. The total construction cost is estimated at around 2.267 billion CNY, equivalent to 33 million USD.

The exterior structure of the Beijing National Stadium is composed of large steel frames interwoven to resemble a massive bird's nest. This unique design has earned it the nickname 'Bird's Nest.'

The 'bird's nest' design of the stadium symbolizes both a vast shelter protecting people and a cradle nurturing humanity's hopes for the future. Today, the stadium stands as one of the most popular tourist attractions in China.

The significance of the Bird's Nest Stadium's architecture

The ideal time to visit the stadium

The best time to book a Beijing tour and explore the Bird's Nest Stadium is during spring and autumn. These seasons offer mild and pleasant weather in Beijing, making them perfect for tourism activities.

Spring in China spans from March to May, with average temperatures ranging between 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. Autumn, from September to November, sees average temperatures around 22 to 28 degrees Celsius.

However, even if the weather conditions are less favorable, you can still plan a visit to the stadium if you are in Beijing during that time.

Beyond being a mere tourist attraction, the Bird's Nest Stadium in China also hosts numerous music, sports, and cultural events, both domestic and international. These events attract large crowds, combining entertainment with the opportunity to explore the stadium.

The best seasons to visit the Beijing National Stadium are spring and autumn

How to get to the Bird's Nest Stadium?

Traveling to Beijing

From Vietnam, you need to book a flight to Beijing to visit the Bird's Nest Stadium. Currently, many airlines operate daily routes between Vietnam and Beijing, including Shenzhen Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines. Depending on your preferences and budget, you can choose between direct or connecting flights.

Refer to the price table for some flight routes from Vietnam to Beijing:

Price table for some flight routes from Vietnam to Beijing

Traveling from Vietnam to Beijing by air

Getting from Beijing to the stadium

Bus

To travel from central Beijing to the Bird's Nest Stadium by bus, you can take routes 82, 419, 538, or 645 and get off at the East National Stadium Station.

The bus fare is 2 CNY for the first 10 kilometers, with an additional 1 CNY for every subsequent 5 kilometers.

Bus operating hours are from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily.

Buses to the Beijing National Stadium

Subway

To reach the Bird's Nest Stadium by subway, you can choose one of two lines:

• Subway Line 8: Get off at Olympic Sports Center Station, exit through Exit B2, and walk approximately 800 meters north.
• Subway Line 15: Arrive at Olympic Park Station, exit through Gate D, and walk about 800 meters further.

The Beijing subway operates from 5:10 AM to 11:00 PM daily. The fare is 3 CNY per person for the first 6 kilometers, and 4 CNY per person for distances between 6 and 30 kilometers.

Beijing Subway Line 8

Taxi

From the city center, you can hail a taxi and inform the driver to take you to the Beijing National Stadium (the Bird's Nest). The cost is approximately 43 to 58 CNY per trip.

Taxis are a common mode of transportation in Beijing

The impressive 'Bird's Nest' architecture of the Beijing National Stadium

The Beijing National Stadium was designed by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, along with Chinese architect Li Xinggang. Inspired by traditional Chinese pottery and innovative ideas, the team created a massive stadium with an exposed steel frame structure.

The stadium's body is made up of steel frames totaling 36 kilometers in length and weighing 45,000 tons. These frames are interwoven randomly, creating a striking visual effect that resembles a giant bird's nest from a distance.

The unique architecture of the Bird's Nest Stadium

The stadium's roof is covered with a semi-transparent polymer membrane, which provides rain protection while allowing natural sunlight to filter through. This ensures the natural grass field inside thrives. The wide roof arch is designed to shield the spectator areas from weather impacts.

The spectator area is constructed with reinforced concrete, featuring 6 above-ground levels and 2.5 underground levels, divided into 6 sections with separate emergency exits. A total of 14,700 precast concrete panels are used to assemble the seating arrangements in the stands.

The internal structure of the Beijing National Stadium

The overall architecture of the Bird's Nest Stadium is also renowned for its effective earthquake resistance. The difference in vibration frequencies between the external steel frame and the internal concrete structure minimizes mutual impacts during seismic events.

Activities and experiences at the Bird's Nest Stadium in China

When visiting the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing, China, you can enjoy a variety of activities such as:

• Taking photos with the unique and impressive 'Bird's Nest' as your backdrop
• Exploring the stadium's interior and exterior architecture
• Attending football matches, sports events, and entertainment shows
• Participating in the Ice and Snow Festival held from December to February, featuring over 30 activities like ice skating, snow tubing, and bumper cars on ice. The children's area offers activities such as boat rides, fencing, and horseback riding.
• Visiting other landmarks within the Beijing Olympic Complex, including the Olympic Forest Park, the Indoor Stadium, and the Beijing National Aquatics Center.

The captivating 'Ice and Snow Festival' held at the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing

Interesting facts about the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing you might not know

Here are some fascinating facts about the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing that you might not know:

• The Beijing National Stadium is the first venue to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
• Jackie Chan was the first artist to hold a concert here, followed by other big names like Wang Leehom, Mayday, Zhang Jie, and Hua Chenyu.
• Originally designed to seat 100,000 people, the stadium's capacity was later reduced to 91,000 due to modifications.
• The Bird's Nest Stadium ranks among the top 50 largest stadiums in the world by capacity.
• Approximately 121,000 tons of the latest lightweight steel were produced in China specifically for the stadium's construction.
• A 7,811-square-meter grass field was installed on May 14, 2008, and completed within 24 hours.
• Over 60 sports, entertainment, and cultural events are held at the stadium annually, generating more than 9 million USD in revenue for the Chinese government.
• On average, around 30,000 visitors tour the stadium each day.
• The stadium's emergency exit system can fully evacuate tens of thousands of people in just 8 minutes.

The Bird's Nest Stadium stands out when illuminated at night

Attractions near the Beijing National Stadium worth visiting

Olympic Forest Park

• Distance from the stadium: 2.5km
• Ticket price: Free
• Opening hours: 6 AM - 9 PM (March 15 - November 15) & 7 AM - 7 PM (November 16 - March 14)

The Beijing Olympic Forest Park is the largest park in Beijing and the largest urban green space in Asia. It includes the North Garden and South Garden. Here, you can enjoy activities like boating on the lake, cycling on tandem bikes, or participating in sports such as tennis and soccer.

The scenic space of the Olympic Forest Park

Linglong Tower

• Distance from the stadium: 700m
• Ticket price: Free
• Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Linglong Tower, standing at 132 meters, is the tallest structure in the Olympic Park. Located about 700 meters from the Bird's Nest Stadium, the tower features a unique three-sided design with seven floors, each shaped like an equilateral triangle. At night, visitors are captivated by the tower's vibrant LED lighting system that continuously changes colors.

Linglong Tower near the Beijing National Stadium

Beijing National Aquatics Center

• Distance from the Bird's Nest Stadium: 800m
• Ticket price: 30 CNY/adult. 15 CNY/children (1.2m - 1.4m tall). Free for children under 1.2m.
• Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

The Beijing National Aquatics Center was built to host aquatic sports during the Beijing Olympics. The structure features a cubic design made of steel frames, covered with a thin, bubble-like plastic membrane spanning 100,000 square meters.

Under sunlight, the Beijing National Aquatics Center shines like a glowing blue pearl. At night, its lighting system illuminates, creating a dazzling and captivating appearance that attracts visitors for photos.

Beijing National Aquatics Center

Beijing National Indoor Stadium

• Distance from the stadium: 800m
• Ticket price: 30 CNY/adult. 15 CNY/children (1.2m - 1.4m tall). Free for children under 1.2m.
• Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Located about 800 meters from the Bird's Nest Stadium, the Beijing National Indoor Stadium stands out with its design inspired by traditional Chinese folding fans. During the Olympics, it hosted events like handball, gymnastics, and ice hockey. Today, it serves as a multifunctional venue for cultural, entertainment, and fitness activities.

Beijing National Indoor Stadium

Chaoyang Park

• Distance from the Bird's Nest Stadium: 14km
• Ticket price: Free
• Opening hours: 6 AM - 10 PM (April - October) & 6 AM - 9 PM (November - March)

Chaoyang Park, also known as Sun Park, spans 288.7 hectares. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks, rent bicycles, participate in cultural festivals, or explore the Art Square (Yishu) featuring intricate sculptures and artworks.

Chaoyang Park in Beijing

798 Art District

• Distance from the stadium: 14km
• Ticket price: Free. Some galleries and exhibitions may charge an entry fee.
• Opening hours: The art district is open all day. Most shops and galleries inside operate from 10 AM to 6 PM. Some may be closed on Mondays.

The 798 Art District, spanning 60 hectares, is located in eastern Beijing. It serves as a hub for Chinese cultural and artistic exhibitions and is home to numerous cultural organizations from France, Italy, the Netherlands, South Korea, Japan, and more. Visitors to the 798 Art District are captivated by its countless art pieces and unique, inspiring artistic spaces.

The 798 Art District boasts many impressive spaces

Tips for visiting the Bird's Nest Stadium in China

To make your visit to the Beijing National Stadium truly memorable, consider the following tips:

• Plan your visit: Research the stadium's operating hours, especially during holidays or events. Book tickets online in advance to secure your spot.
• Explore nearby attractions: Combine your visit with other landmarks in the Beijing Olympic Park complex during your trip.
• Dress appropriately: Wear comfortable clothing that isn't too revealing and choose well-fitting shoes for a full day of walking.
• Check the weather: Review the weather forecast before your trip to pack suitable items.
• Stay hydrated: Bring water to stay refreshed, especially during the summer months.
• Capture memories: Don't forget to take photos or videos to document your visit to the Beijing National Stadium. Be mindful of areas where photography or filming is prohibited.

Tips for visiting the Bird's Nest Stadium

Today, the Bird's Nest Stadium stands as one of the most iconic tourist landmarks in Beijing, China. More than just a sports venue, it embodies the cultural, architectural, and artistic essence of China. If you're planning a trip to Beijing, make sure to include this destination in your itinerary. Contact Mytour Travel at 1900 2083 for the best deals on all-inclusive China tours!

Author: Phuong Thao

Image source: Internet