The Beijing National Aquatics, also known as Water Cube, wasbuiltas the main natatorium (swimming pool venue) for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and became known as one of theGames' iconic structures。现在它被变成冰块卷曲venue in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
It islocated on Olympic Green, with theBeijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest), on Beijing's north-south axis.
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WhoDesigned the Water Cube?
The Water Cube in Beijing was designed byPTW Architects and Ove Arup。Their unique and inspired design, also called [H2O]3 projects, was based on the waysoap bubblescome together in a 12- or 14-sided cell structure.
The surface of these "soap bubbles" reflects sunlight and makes the building awatery containerglistening in the sunlight", from which it got its nickname:The Water Cube。
The Beijing Water Cube is about 180meters (600 feet) long and wide and 30meters (100 feet) high and has a capacity of 17,000 seats (6,000 permanent and 11,000 temporaries for the Olympics).
DesignIdeas behind the Water Cube
This seemingly simple "cube" was designed according totraditional Chinese cultureas well as modern science and technology. Ancient Chinese believed that heaven was like a dome covering the square earth.
This comes from the traditionalChinese philosophical statement: "天圆地方"(Tian yuan di fang, literally ‘heaven/sky round earth/land square'). Therefore, the square Water Cube complements the round Bird's Nest inBeijing Olympic Park, embodying this philosophy.
This philosophy was expressed in civilian buildings as well, especially in traditionalHutongs(quadrangle districts) in Beijing.
What is the National Aquatics Center Made Of?
The building's exterior uses a new environmentally friendly andenergy-saving ETFE(ethylene tetra fluoro ethylene)membrane material with a total surface area of over 100,000 square meters (1,000,000 sq. ft.), making it the world'slargest ETFE application project。
The ETFE membrane hasa low mass, is tough, and canabsorb sunlightwith negligible deterioration. It doesn't ignite spontaneously and has a wonderfulself-cleaning function, due to its non-stick surface.
The material can't be stained by dust. When the wind blows, the dust blows away. In addition, the Water Cube also has anenvironmental functionto collect and recycle rainwater.
Rainwater that falls on the窟er Cube's roofis collected in a central storage pool below the building.
Interesting Facts about the Water Cube Structure
1. There are more than3,000 "soap bubbles"在北京国家游泳的外墙Center.
2. It is thelargest membrane structurein the world.
3. Its membranedoes not need to be replacedif the soap bubbles are punctured. It can be restored with a heat welding repair/patch.
4. The soup-bubble-structure is also thebiggest LED-façade buildingin the world with an electricity-saving (compared to non-LED lights) of around 550,000 kWh/year, which would cost US$70,000 per year.
5. The Beijing窟er Cubeis consideredthe fastest Olympic swimming poolin the world. During the 2008 Olympic Games, athletes broke 25 world records there.
6.Without lightning conductors, the Beijing Water Cube's frame can conduct lightning to the ground safely.
7. The Water Cube has a flexible body thatcan resist an earthquake of magnitude 8。It is the most seismically-resistant (large) building in the world.
8. The National Aquatics Center covers an area of 3.2 hectares (7.9 acres), but itdoes not use a single steel I-beam or reinforced concrete columnin the outer space frame.
9. The Beijing Water Cube has three huge swimming pools, from whichmore than a tone of water evaporates per hour.
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What is the Water Cube Used for Now?
After a major transformation following the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Beijing窟er Cubewas turned intoa large water amusement parkand reopened to the public in August 2010. It is now amulti-functional centerfor sports, recreation, and fitness.
Olympic Pool
- Ying Tung Natatorium:Located in the west wing of the National Aquatics Center it hosted Olympic water polo matches and now it is where you can enjoy swimming. The other pools are the Olympic pool and training pool, which are not open to the public at present.
- The Water Park: is the largest and the best of its kind in China, allowing a functional capacity of 6,000 people. It is equipped with many amusement facilities, such as wave machines, speed slides, and aqua loops.
- The Waterdrop Theater:covers an area of about 200 square meters (2,000 sq. ft.) and has 150 seats. It plays promotional films about the Olympics and some 3D films that can further enrich visitor experiences.
- In-theme restaurants and bars: Dining areas with Water Cube characteristics, such as the bubble bar, water Internet bar, water-flow theme restaurant, pottery bar, and book bar.
- The SPA zone: Located in the northern part of the Beijing Water Cube, there are advanced spa facilities and equipment with a peaceful space environment.
- The business section: Small function rooms on the third floor can be used for personal or business activities.
- The multi-functional hall: Located in the west of the National Aquatics Center, with a capacity of 1,000 people, there are three standard indoor tennis courts. It is one of the largest halls of the Beijing Water Cube and it is often used to hold domestic or international exhibitions.
- The commercial area:is centrally located. There you can see all kinds of things related to its history and Olympic swimming events as well as the latest information about the Beijing Water Cube.
- 1-Day Beijing Highlights Tour— Visit the Forbidden City and the Great Wall at your own pace.
Ice Cube for the 2022 Winter Olympics
In the2022 Winter Olympic Games, the curling event will be held in the Beijing National Aquatics Center. The Water Cube is undergoing a magnificent transformation into the"Ice Cube"。
Ice Cube for Curling
The Water Cube has been upgraded to include acurling rinkwhile keeping its swimming pools. A new ice-making system is in place to provide an Olympic-standard curling sheet.
This makes the structure the only stadium in the world thatcan host both water and ice sportsat the same time!
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How to Get to the National Aquatics Center in Beijing
By subway:TakeLine 8and get off at Olympic Sports Center Station. Use Exit B2.
By taxi:Show this phrase to the driver: "请带我去水立方", which means, "Please take me to the Water Cube."
By bus:Take bus 81, 82, 86, 510, or 607 to Guojia Tiyuguan (National Stadium) Station. Alternatively, usesightseeingbus line 3 to reach Beichen West Bridge North Station (北辰西桥北站).
Ticket Information
Admission tickets to the National Aquatics Centre are sold at theticket hall。If you havebooked tickets onlinethrough any travel agent,e-ticketsore-voucherwill be issued to you. At the counter ticket, just present a valid passport along with the voucher number to receive yourpaper entrance tickets。
For a visit to the窟er Cube, the price isCN¥30per person.For swimming,CN¥60per person for 2 hours. A ticket for the窟er Parkcosts fromCN¥200–260 subject to the date.
Opening Times
- June–September:9:00 am–10:00 pm(last admission 9:30pm)
- October–May: 9:00 am–7:00 pm (last admission 6:30pm)
- 窟erdrop Theater: 9:30 am–4:45 pm from Tuesday to Sunday
Opening hours are subject to change. You could contact us to confirm before you go.
Travel Tips:
- Summer is the peak season for swimming at the National Aquatics Center when local people travel and go out more often.Try to avoid this period of timeif you want to enjoy a swim here.
- It closes without any notice in the case of events. Alwayscheck the latest arrangementsfor the venue.
- Thebest viewof the Beijing Water Cube and Bird Nest canbe seen in the evening。If you wish to take the best photos, make sure you go there at night.
- There is a little restaurant nearby. It is better tohave your meal insidethe venue or bring some snacks if needed.
- Food prices in the water park are higher. A small bottle of water, for example, costs around CN¥10.
- If you swim, there arelocker rentals availableat CN¥30. You can check the price and availability at the entrance. A deposit of CN¥20 is charged for the RFID (radio-frequency identification) wristbands.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much did the Water Cube cost?
国家游泳的建设成本Center was around $140m. Among the Olympic venues Water Cube is the only building donated by overseas Chinese all over the world. The Beijing National Aquatics Center is the only venue donated by overseas Chinese from all over the world. More than half of the total cost of the project was donated by patriots from Hong Kong.
2. Why was water cube converted into a water theme park after the Olympic Games?
After the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Water Cube was left unused and crumbling long. In order to attract more people's interest, it was designed to a Water Theme Park. The water park covers 12,000 square meters outfitted with advanced water recreational facilities. You can easily fill the better part of a day here on the many different attractions including multiple speedy slides — fun for all ages.
3. What are the blue "Soap Bubbles "on the Outer Wall?
The shape of "Water Cube" looks like a blue water box, and the outer wall seems formed by irregular bubbles. The bubbles on the surface of the water cube are made of ETFE (ethylene tetra fluoro ethylene).
Come and Marvel at the Beijing Water Cube
Marvel at the super-modern Beijing Water Cube as well as Beijing's medieval wonders, maybe with an "Olympics tour". Feel free to tell us your interests and requirements, and we will be glad totailor-make a unique tourfor you. You could look throughour Beijing toursfor some inspiration.
