Layout of Olympics Venues in Beijing
To date, 13 of the Olympic venues in Beijing have been completed and 11 are being planned or under construction. All these venues are being built or renovated according to the requirements of the International Sports Federations.
The venues in Beijing are located in four areas; the main area is the Olympic Green and there are three sub-areas. The three sub-areas include the University Area in Haidian District in the northwestern part of Beijing, the Western Community Area in the western part of Beijing and the North Scenic and Tourist Area in the northern part of the city.
All the competition and training venues are within 5-30 minutes drive from the Olympic Village. Most of the competition venues are located at expressways in the city, with easy access to all destinations.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Venues in Beijing
2008 Beijing's Top 10 Sights
National Stadium: The stadium was designed by foreign architects. With the nickname of "Birds Nest", it can seat 90,000 audience.
National Aquatic Centre is a comprehensive building used for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, and Synchronized SwimmingOlympic Stadium.
CCTV Tower is one of the most amazing new buildign designs of the world. With a height of 230 meters, it is the headquarters of China's national broadcaster.
Commune by the Great Wall is a unique hotel complex at Badaling, an hour or so from Beijing, began as a series of radical villas designed by a dozen or so of Asia's top architects.
National Centre for the Performing Arts: One of the most controversial pieces of Beijing's modern new architecture, the French-designed building, which resembles a massive splattered steel egg, is wedged - some think insensitively - between Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
798 Dashanzi Arts District: Located on the site of an old electronics factory that's been transformed into a network of galleries, studios and cafes, this unique, almost organic arts district has emerged as the must-see focal point for Beijing's artist community.
Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art: Housed in an 8000-square-metre Bauhaus-style factory (also in the Dashanzi district) this is Beijing's latest centre for contemporary Chinese art.
Red Gate Gallery: An expatriate Australian, Brian Wallace, with a passion for Chinese modern art, founded this leading gallery, based in Beijing's historic Watchtower building.
Beijing Capital International Airport: Just in time for the Olympics comes Asia's latest mega-airport, and yet another designed by British architect Sir Norman Foster (who was responsible for Hong Kong's marvel).
Houhai Lake: Although an older area of central Beijing, what with its proliferation of hutongs (distinctive ancient laneway communities that feature communal courtyard houses) this area also represents the modern, hip and lively face of the capital.
