2008 Beijing Olympic Venues
Beijing, China's capital, is the host city of the the 29th Olympic Games. The dates for the Beijing Olympics are August 8-24 August, 2008.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games were one of the best ever, with amazing venues having been constructed and the most populous country on earth eagerly awaiting the athletes and officials.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics had 28 sports, of which 26 were held in Beijing. Beijing had 31 Olympic venues, 11 new ones, 11 reconstructed venues and nine temporary ones.
National Stadium
The National Stadium, known as the "Bird's Nest", is the centerpiece of the Beijing Olympics and the 90,000 capacity venue will host the Olympic track and field events and the opening and closing ceremonies.
The stadium will seat 91,000 people during the Olympic competition, where the main track and field events will be held. 110,000 tonnes of 110 mm thick plate steel has been fitted together in such a way that the stadium is said to withstand earthquakes and be the world's largest enclosed space.
National Aquatics Center
The National Aquatics Center, aka the "Water Cube" is situated near the National Stadium in the north of Beijing and will host the Olympic swimming and diving competitions.
Nick-named the "Water Cube" - the venue has a permanent capacity of 6,000, which can be raised to 11,000 for special events.
The outside of the building is coated with ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene), a kind of tough plastic which gives the impression of giant soap bubbles. The Allianz Arena, a football stadium in Munich also used this concept on its exterior surface.
Beijing Olympic Green Archery Field
The Beijing Olympic Green Archery Field has a 'V' shaped archery range with its high spectator stands. Four gold medals will be contested here in the course of the Olympic Games.
Spectators will have good views of the events and have an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting of this field. Olympic Green Archery Field had a seating capacity of 5,000 and was dismantled after the 2008 Games, becoming open space.
Olympic Green Tennis Court
The Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Court resembles a lotus flower from a distance and the 17,400 capacity venue will stage the popular Olympic tennis events with all the major stars competing.
The Olympic Green Tennis Court has an area of 26,514 square meters. The steep sides of the seating allow spectators the best possible sight lines.
Olympic Green Hockey Stadium
Beijing Olympic Green Hockey Stadium is northwest of the National Convention Center.
This 17,000 seat venue will host the hockey for the Olympic Games and football for the Paralympics Games.
SenlinGongyuan Station (森林公园) is the closest subway station to this venue. Take Line 8 to SenlinGongyuan (森林公园).
Whether you take Line 10, Line 5 or Line 13, you can change to Line 8 for SenlinGongyuan (森林公园).
Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium
Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium has a seating capacity of over 7,000 and will stage the Olympic Judo and Taekwondo competitions during the Beijing Games.
Take buses 307, 484, 630, 726, 836 or 957 to Beijing Kejidaxuebeimen Station.
Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium
Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium, located in south eastern Beijing, will host the Olympic badminton and rhythmic gymnastics events at the 2008 Olympic Games.
The total area of the sports hall is 22,269 square meters and the gym has more than 14 entrances.
Capital Indoor Stadium
Capital Indoor Stadium staged the men's and women's Olympic volleyball events and has a capacity of 18,000.
The Capital Indoor Stadium venue has been refurbished for the Games. The venue was first built in 1968 and was renovated for the 2001 World University Games and again for the Beijing Olympics.
Baishiqiao subway station is the nearest station to this stadium on the new Subway Line 4 one stop west of Beijing Zoo.
Olympic Beach Volleyball Ground
Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground will stage the popular beach volleyball event and will be redeveloped as a public bathing beach for use by Beijingers after the Olympic Games conclude.
Gongtibeilu Station (工体北路) is close to Chaoyang Gongyuan. Take Line 10 to Gongtibeilu (工体北路). Take Line 13 to Zhichunlu (知春路) or Shaoyaoju (芍药居) and change to Line 10.
China Agricultural University Gymnasium
China Agricultural University Gymnasium has 6,000 fixed seats with an additional 2,000 temporary seats. The very popular Olympic wrestling tournament will be staged here.
The 23,950 square meter gymnasium will host wrestlers from various nations who will compete here for the wrestling gold medals.
Bus: Take Yuntong 103，355，392，398，419，478，490, 632，693, 753，810 to Jingshuyuan (静淑苑) or 26，Yuntong 110, 628，913，963 to China Agricultural University's East Campus (中国农业大学东校区).
Subway: Wudaokou (五道口) subway station is the closest to this university. Go to Wudaokou first and then take a taxi. The university is about 2km from the station.
Take Subway Line 13 to Wudaokou （五道口).
Or Subway Line 5 to Lishuiqiaobei (立水桥北) Station and change to Subway Line 13 for Wudaokou Station.
Alternatively take Subway Line 10 to Zhichunlu (知春路) or Shaoyaoju (芍药居) stations and then, change to Subway Line 13 for Wudaokou (五道口).
Fencing Hall in the National Convention Center
The Fencing Hall in the National Convention Center will host the Olympic fencing preliminaries and finals, and the Modern Pentathlon (fencing and shooting) during the Beijing Games.
Within the fencing hall there are ten fencing areas across the deep blue carpet of the convention center. The hall will be full of color for the fencing events providing a lively atmosphere for the audience.
Bus: Yuntong 113, 386, 407, 656, 737, 740, 753, 804, 827, 839, 939, 944, 983 to BeichenQiaoXi (北辰桥西) or 510 to GuojiaTiyuguan (国家体育馆).
Subway: Aolinpike Gongyuan (奥林匹克公园) is the nearest subway station to this venue. Take Line 8 direct to Aolinpike Gongyuan.
Fengtai Softball Field
Fengtai Softball Field, in the Fengtai district of south west Beijing, has a capacity of 13,000 spectators and has been completely renovated for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Softball is a women-only sport (synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics are the only others) and is making its fourth appearance at a Summer Olympic Games.
USA are the softball giants and won gold in Athens in 2004 followed by Australia and Japan. China placed 4th and will be hoping for a medal in front of a partisan home crowd.
Fengtai railway station is located to the south of the stadium and connects to Beijing West Railway Station. Eventually a new subway line will run past the area.
Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue
The Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue is designed according to the sport's governing guidelines providing unique challenges for the riders competing for Olympic Gold in ideal conditions.
4,000 temporary seats will be placed for spectators at the event.
Bus: 325, 327, 337, 354, 389, 472, 621, 622, 663, 728, 941, 958, 959 to Jingyuan Lukou Station (京原路口)
Subway: Take Line 1 to Babaoshan Station (八宝山)
Laoshan Velodrome
Laoshan Velodrome is a new eco-friendly Olympic venue for the cycling events at the 2008 Olympic Games. The venue covers 33,320 square meters with a three-story building holding 6,000 seats, including 3,000 temporary seats.
Laoshan Velodrome will also host the Paralympic Track Cycling competition so the stadium designers have included barrier-free features for Paralympic athletes and spectators.
Bus: 325, 327, 337, 354, 389, 472, 621, 622, 663, 728, 941, 958, 959 to Jingyuan Lukou Station (京原路口)
Subway: Take Line 1 to Babaoshan Station (八宝山)
Beijing National Indoor Stadium
The Beijing National Indoor Stadium is located in the Olympic Green. The National Indoor Stadium will host the Olympic Artistic Gymnastics, Trampolining, and Handball events.
Bus: Yuntong 113，386，407，656，737，740，753，804， 827，939，944，983 to Beichen Qiao Xi （北辰桥西）or 510, 839 to National Indoor Stadium （国家体育馆).
Subway: Olympic Green (奥林匹克公园) subway station is the nearest station to this stadium.
Visitors can then travel directly to the stadium by special shuttle bus for the Olympic Green.
Peking University Gymnasium
Peking University Gymnasium is located on the Peking University campus and is the venue for the Olympic table tennis competition. The Peking University gymnasium can seat 7,557 spectators.
Huangzhuang (黄庄) Station is close to this venue. Subway Line 10 takes you directly to Huangzhuang Station. Take Subway Line 5 to Beituchengdonglu (北土城东路) Station and change to Subway Line 10.
Shooting Range Hall
The Shooting Range Hall is an eco-friendly three storey venue that will host the 10-meter, 25-meter, and 50-meter range shooting events of the 2008 Olympic Games and the shooting event of the Paralympic Games.
A glass atrium dissects the three storey building to allow natural light to enter the hall and to save energy costs. The 10-meter, 25-meter, and 50-meter range shooting events of the 2008 Olympic Games and the shooting event of the Paralympic Games will be held here.
Visitors to the Beijing Shooting Range Hall may enjoy combining a visit to the Beijing Shooting Range Hall with a side trip to the very nearby mountains of western Beijing.
Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park
Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park has a water surface area covering 635,000 square meters, with 580,000 square meters of green space which makes it a very pleasant venue.
Compared to other Olympic venues, Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park is the farthest place from the central Olympic area. If traveling by car to Baimalu (Olympic Street) follow Gaoliying ( 高丽营 ) to Baimaluqiao, then go straight along Baimalu to reach the park.
Triathlon Venue
The Triathlon venue located at the Ming Tombs Reservoir, is described as the most environmental-friendly triathlon venue in the world, the venue facilities which will be removed after the Olympic Games.
Bus: 643 to Jiulong Youleyuan Station (九龙游乐园).
Workers Indoor Arena
The Workers Indoor Arena is situated in the Sanlitun entertainment and shopping district, the venue was completely renovated for the 2008 Olympics with the installation of barrier-free facilities for wheel-chair access.
The 13,000 capacity Workers Indoor Arena (Beijing Workers' Gymnasium) will stage the 2008 Olympic boxing event and the judo tournament at the 2008 Paralympics.
The arena is located just to the north west of Workers Stadium. Completed in 1961 the arena staged the World Table Tennis Championships of that year.
Workers Stadium
The Workers Stadium is a 70,000 capacity stadium constructed in 1959 as one of the "Ten Great Buildings" constructed for the 10th anniversary of the founding of People's Republic of China (PRC).
Other "Ten Great Buildings" include Beijing Railway Station, The Great Hall of the People and the Military Museum.
The Workers Stadium was the main stadium for the Asian Games in 1990. The stadium was renovated in 2004 and again in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Local Beijing football team, Guo'an FC, play some of their home games here.
Wukesong Indoor Stadium
Wukesong Indoor Stadium near Wukesong subway station has a capacity of 18,000 spectators and the refurbished high-tech venue will stage the Olympic Basketball tournament.
For those with more money to spend the stadium holds 45 luxury boxes, 29 of them large and 16 small ones on the second floor. Basketball is massively popular in China and the careers of Yao Ming and the other Chinese players in the NBA is followed with great interest back home.
Wukesong Sports Center Baseball Field
Wukesong Sports Center Baseball Field consists of two competition pitches and one training pitch. The 15,000 capacity stadium will stage the Olympic Baseball competition.
There are two stands around the field. One incorporates permanent rooms as the field will become a smaller venue after the Games. The other stand will be removed following the Olympics.
Ying Tung Natatorium
Ying Tung Natatorium is a 4,852 capacity venue which will host the Olympic Water Polo competition and the swimming disciplines of the Modern Pentathlon events.
The venue has been renovated incorporating a number of new, ecological features. After the Beijing Olympics, the venue will become a municipal swimming pool and water events center.
Subway: Olympic Sport Center subway station on the new Olympic Line of the Beijing metro is the nearest station to this stadium.
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