National Aquatics Center (Water Cube)

National Aquatics Center (Water Cube)

The National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The National Aquatics Center, also known as the "Water Cube," is located in Beijing Olympic Park. It was the main swimming venue built for the 2008 Summer Olympics and is one of the iconic buildings of that year. Its design was chosen from a global competition under the "Water Cube" proposal. The Water Cube and the National Stadium (commonly known as the Bird’s Nest) are situated on either side of the northern end of Beijing’s central axis, together forming a relatively complete representation of the city’s historical and cultural image. The planned construction site of the National Aquatics Center covers 62,950 square meters, with a total floor area ranging from 65,000 to 80,000 square meters, including no less than 15,000 square meters underground. Its dimensions are 177m (length) × 177m (width) × 30m (height). To date, over 940 million RMB has been donated by more than 350,000 compatriots from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities across 101 countries and regions. Among them, the father-and-son duo of Cheng Yu-tung and Cheng Ka-yuen, along with their affiliated companies, donated 50 million RMB.

The National Aquatics Center hosted competitions in swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, and more. It has a seating capacity of 17,000, including 6,000 permanent seats and 11,000 temporary seats added during the Olympics (which were later removed). After the Games, it was transformed into a world-class center integrating swimming, sports, fitness, and leisure activities.

It was jointly designed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, an Australian architectural firm, and a related Australian company. The design integrates architectural and structural elements, featuring a novel and unique structure that harmonizes well with the National Stadium. It fully meets the requirements of the 2008 Olympic events and is also easy to operate after the Games.

The National Aquatics Center is managed, constructed, and operated by the Beijing State-Owned Assets Management Co., Ltd., and is subject to inspection and approval by the International Swimming Federation and the International Olympic Committee. Its membrane structure holds a world record. Designed based on the arrangement of cells and the natural structure of soap bubbles, this form had never been used in architectural structures before, showcasing truly unique creativity.

Both the walls and roof of the "Water Cube" consist of three layers, inner and outer. Designers used three-dimensional coordinates to create over 30,000 steel components, none of which share the same position. These technologies are independently developed innovations in China and have filled gaps in the history of world architecture.

Time Needed

2 hours

Transportation

Take bus routes 386, 407, 611, 656, 658, 660, 689, 740, 753, 939, 944, 983, or Yuntong 113 and get off at Beichenqiao West Station;

Take bus routes 81, 82, 510, or 607 and get off at Beichenxi Bridge North Station;

Take Metro Line 8 and exit from Exit B1 of the Olympic Sports Center Station.

Admission

Visit: 30 RMB per person; half-price discount (15 RMB) for students, military personnel, etc.; tickets sold at ticket booths 1–6

Swimming: 60 RMB per person; tickets sold at ticket booth 7

Water Park: 200 RMB per person; 160 RMB for children between 1.2m and 1.4m; tickets sold at ticket booths 8–9

Opening Hours

1. Visits/Tours:

Peak Season (May–October): 9:00–20:00

Off-Peak Season (November–April): 9:00–18:00

Tickets sold at ticket booths 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8

2. Swimming:

Peak Season (May–October):

Weekdays: 12:30–21:00

Weekends: 9:00–21:00

Off-Peak Season (November–April):

Weekdays: 12:00–20:00

Weekends: 9:00–20:00

Tickets available at booths 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8

3. Water Park:

Peak season (May–October): 10:00–21:00

Off-peak season (November–April): 10:00–18:00

Tickets available at booths 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9

Attraction location

No. 11, Tianchen East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing