Bird's Nest

​​A Symbol of Modern China​​

The ​​Bird's Nest (国家体育场)​​, officially the ​​National Stadium​​, is a ​​UNESCO-noted​​ masterpiece in Beijing’s ​​Olympic Park​​. Designed by ​​Herzog & de Meuron​​ with ​​Ai Weiwei​​, its ​​steel-webbed structure​​ (weighing ​​42,000 tons​​) resembles a ​​literal bird’s nest​​, symbolizing ​​life and hope​​. Completed in ​​2008​​ for the ​​Summer Olympics​​, it later hosted the ​​2022 Winter Olympics​​, making it the ​​only stadium​​ to stage ​​both Summer and Winter Games’ opening ceremonies​​.

​​Architectural Brilliance​​

• ​​Design​​:
  • ​​Interlocking steel beams​​ form the ​​outer shell​​, eliminating the need for columns and creating an ​​unobstructed 91,000-seat arena​​.
  • ​​Eco-friendly features​​: ​​Rainwater collection​​, ​​solar panels​​, and ​​natural ventilation​​.
• ​​Dimensions​​:
  • ​​330m long, 220m wide, 69m tall​​—equivalent to a ​​20-story building​​.
  • ​​Base insulation​​ maintains optimal temperatures for events year-round.

​​Historical & Cultural Significance​​

• ​​Olympic Legacy​​:
  • ​​2008​​: Hosted ​​track & field​​, ​​football finals​​, and the ​​memorable opening ceremony​​ (directed by Zhang Yimou).
  • ​​2022​​: Featured ​​AI-powered light shows​​ and ​​snowflake-themed performances​​.
• ​​Post-Olympics​​:
  • ​​Concerts​​: ​​2024 record​​—​​39 shows​​ (e.g., ​​Coldplay​​, ​​Jay Chou​​) drew ​​216+ million attendees​​.
  • ​​Sports​​: ​​Italian Super Cup (2009)​​, ​​NFL China Games (2018)​​.

​​Visitor Experience​​

1. ​​Tours​​:
   • ​​Roof Walk​​: A ​​69m-high glass platform​​ offers panoramic views.
   • ​​Behind-the-Scenes​​: Explore ​​athletes’ tunnels​​ and ​​VIP lounges​​.
2. ​​Exhibits​​:
   • ​​Olympic Torch Gallery​​: Displays ​​2008 and 2022 torches​​.
   • ​​AR Displays​​: Recreate ​​ceremony moments​​ (e.g., ​​Li Ning’s aerial run​​).
3. ​​Events​​:
   • ​​Winter Ice Festival​​: ​​Snow slides​​ and ​​igloos​​ (Dec–Feb).
   • ​​Night Shows​​: ​​LED-lit facade​​ projects ​​dynamic art​​.

​​Practical Information​​

• ​​Hours​​: ​​9:00–21:00​​ (last entry 20:00).
• ​​Tickets​​: ​​¥100​​ (adults), ​​¥80​​ (students/seniors).
• ​​Access​​: ​​Subway Line 8​​ to ​​Olympic Sports Center Station​​.

​​2025 Update​​:

• New ​​“Digital Twin” tour​​ via app (launching June 2025) for ​​3D Olympic replays​​.

For tickets: Official Site.