Olympic Green

Olympic Green is a sprawling park complex in northern Beijing, originally built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Covering nearly 800 hectares (about 2,000 acres), the grounds extend along the northern continuation of the city's historic central axis. While the southern areas are dominated by large sports venues, the site gives way to the north to a dense parkland setting with forests, waterways, ornamental lakes, and landscaped hills. Since the Games ended, the area has served as a generous public park where locals can relax and enjoy outdoor leisure activities.

In the park, you can see numerous architectural highlights, including the National Stadium, nicknamed the "Bird's Nest" because of its shape, and the National Aquatics Center with its distinctive honeycomb structure. The National Indoor Stadium and the China National Convention Center are also part of the ensemble. The Beijing Olympic Tower, which opened in 2014, offers a special experience. Standing 246.8 meters (810 feet) tall, the tower recalls the Olympic rings with its five round roofs, and its design is inspired by blades of grass. From the five observation decks, which sit at heights between 186 and 243 meters, you get sweeping views over the entire park and the city of Beijing.