Guangzhou Gymnasium

Guangzhou Gymnasium

Guangzhou Gymnasium is a comprehensive, multi-functional sports facility built by the Guangzhou Municipal Government to host the 2001 National Games of China ("Nine Provinces Games"). During the event, the gymnastics finals and a grand closing ceremony performance were held here. The project broke ground on February 11, 1999, and was completed and put into use by the end of June 2001. It is one of the key and iconic buildings of Guangzhou in the new century.

Located at the southern section of Baiyun Avenue in Guangzhou, Guangzhou Gymnasium sits at the foot of the picturesque Baiyun Mountain. Covering a total area of approximately 200,000 square meters, with a total construction area of about 100,000 square meters, the complex includes three main venues—the Main Stadium, the Training Hall, and the Mass Activity Center—as well as auxiliary facilities such as an administrative building, dining hall, energy center, and parking lot. It is a comprehensive venue primarily for sports competitions, while also accommodating cultural performances, conferences, exhibitions, and other multi-functional uses.

Designed by the renowned French architect Paul Andreu, Guangzhou Gymnasium skillfully integrates human-centered and nature-integrated design philosophies. All three main venues feature sunken designs, with most of their structures built underground. This not only facilitates smooth crowd circulation and access but also allows the buildings to blend subtly and poetically into the surrounding natural landscape, harmonizing with the adjacent beautiful ecological environment. The entire structure incorporates numerous technological and design innovations, including flexible and versatile seating arrangements, a multi-functional intelligent building system, a structurally challenging, novel, and aesthetically pleasing roof design, and a new, comfortable air conditioning system.