Do you need a ticket for the Bird's Nest, or can you just walk around it?

The plaza between the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube is free and open to walk, so most visitors come just for the exterior and night lighting. Entering the stadium itself is a separate paid tour — roughly 80 RMB for the Bird's Nest and 50 RMB for the Water Cube. The interior tour is mainly worth it for sports and architecture fans; everyone else gets the best of it from outside.

What is the Water Cube and why is it now called the Ice Cube?

The Water Cube was the swimming venue for the 2008 Summer Olympics, famous for its bubble-like ETFE facade that glows in changing colours at night. For the 2022 Winter Olympics it was converted into a curling rink and rebranded the 'Ice Cube'. It stands directly across the plaza from the Bird's Nest, so the two pair naturally for a single visit and a single set of night photos.

What's the best time of day to visit Olympic Park in Beijing?

Come at dusk. Both the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube light up after dark — the stadium's steel weave glows red and the cube cycles through colours — so arriving in late afternoon lets you see the architecture in daylight and then stay for the illuminated facades. Metro Line 8 (Olympic Sports Center or Olympic Green) drops you right at the park, and the area runs late.

Olympic Park (Bird's Nest), Beijing: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

Beijing's 2008 and 2022 Olympic centerpiece — the iconic Bird's Nest stadium and Water Cube swimming arena.

At a glance

What it is: Landmark
Also known as: 奥林匹克公园·鸟巢 (Ào Lín Pǐ Kè Gōng Yuán)
Opening hours: Always open
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Best time to visit: Dusk for night-lit stadium facades
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Full English menu
Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Entry: Walk-in — no booking
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: 1 National Stadium South Rd, Chaoyang District, Beijing · 朝阳区国家体育场南路1号

See Olympic Park (Bird's Nest)tickets & tours

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The Beijing Olympic Park hosted the 2008 Summer and 2022 Winter Olympics, the only city ever to have done both. The 91,000-seat National Stadium — nicknamed the 'Bird's Nest' (鸟巢) for its woven steel facade — was designed by Herzog & de Meuron with Ai Weiwei as art consultant. Adjacent is the Water Cube (now called Ice Cube after a 2022 rebrand), whose ETFE-bubble facade glows in changing colors at night. The plaza between the two is huge and free to walk; both stadiums can be entered for a tour ticket (50-80 RMB). Best at dusk when both venues light up. Pair with the Olympic Forest Park to the north (free, great for an autumn walk) — together they make a full half-day for architecture and modern Beijing fans. Reach via Metro Line 8 (Olympic Sports Center or Olympic Green stations).

Highlights

Bird's Nest at Night (鸟巢夜景)Steel weave glows red after dark — best photo at dusk
Water Cube → Ice Cube (水立方→冰立方)ETFE bubble facade; rebranded for 2022 Winter Olympics curling venue
Stadium Interior Tour (体育场内部参观)80 RMB for Bird's Nest, 50 RMB for Water Cube; recommended for sports fans
Olympic Forest Park (奥林匹克森林公园)Adjacent to the north, free entry, great fall foliage
Metro Line 8Olympic Sports Center / Olympic Green station — couldn't be easier

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Arrive in late afternoon and stay for dusk — you catch the steel facade in daylight and the red night-glow without two trips.
▸The free plaza gives you the iconic shot; save the paid interior tour for genuine sports or engineering buffs.
▸Frame both venues in one photo from the plaza's centre — the Bird's Nest and the colour-shifting Ice Cube line up cleanly.
▸Walk north into the adjacent Olympic Forest Park, which is free and best in autumn for foliage if you have a half-day.
▸Take Metro Line 8 to Olympic Green or Olympic Sports Center — it drops you steps from the plaza with no long walk.
▸Unlike most central sights, this area takes Visa and Mastercard and has free Wi-Fi, so you don't need a wad of cash here.
▸The plaza is wide and shadeless — bring water and sun cover in summer, as there's little shelter between the two venues.

Photos

sydney opera house near body of water during daytime

Stunning night shot of Beijing's Bird's Nest, reflecting vibrant city lights.

Here's a possible caption: beijing's iconic bird's nest stadium is pictured.

Empty seats and expansive view of Beijing National Stadium, bathed in daylight.

a large building with a large white structure on top of it

Stunning nightscape of Beijing's Olympic Bird's Nest Stadium reflecting in a calm lake, showcasing modern architecture under a starry sky.

man in black jacket and pants walking on sidewalk during daytime

View of the Beijing National Stadium, an architectural marvel known as the Bird's Nest.

Illuminated nightscape of Beijing's Bird Nest Stadium reflecting on a serene lake.

Close-up night view of the National Stadium in Beijing with unique architecture and red illumination.

a large building lit up at night in the snow

The stunning Bird's Nest stadium reflecting in the water at night in Beijing.

What travelers say (5 reviews)

Hannah T.·TripAdvisor·5/5

Hosted both 2008 Summer and 2022 Winter Olympics — the only city in the world to do so. The Bird's Nest at night is stunning.

2026-03-22

鸟巢夜景党·Xiaohongshu·5/5

晚上灯光秀必看！整个奥森被点亮，水立方变粉色超梦幻。带三脚架去拍。

2026-04-15

Greg P.·Google Maps·4/5

Take metro Line 8 to Olympic Sports Center. Free to walk around the park. Bird's Nest interior is a separate ticket (~50 RMB).

2026-01-30

Liz K.·TripAdvisor·4/5

The Water Cube is now an indoor water park called Happy Water Cube — fun for kids but the architecture matters more.

2026-02-12

OlympicNerd·YouTube·5/5

Visit during Spring Festival — there's a light installation throughout the park that beats most cities' New Year displays.

2026-03-08

Videos

Beijing Travel Guide - Bird's Nest HD

Wikibeijing Private Day Tour

Frequently asked questions about Olympic Park (Bird's Nest)

Do you need a ticket for the Bird's Nest, or can you just walk around it?: The plaza between the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube is free and open to walk, so most visitors come just for the exterior and night lighting. Entering the stadium itself is a separate paid tour — roughly 80 RMB for the Bird's Nest and 50 RMB for the Water Cube. The interior tour is mainly worth it for sports and architecture fans; everyone else gets the best of it from outside.
What is the Water Cube and why is it now called the Ice Cube?: The Water Cube was the swimming venue for the 2008 Summer Olympics, famous for its bubble-like ETFE facade that glows in changing colours at night. For the 2022 Winter Olympics it was converted into a curling rink and rebranded the 'Ice Cube'. It stands directly across the plaza from the Bird's Nest, so the two pair naturally for a single visit and a single set of night photos.
What's the best time of day to visit Olympic Park in Beijing?: Come at dusk. Both the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube light up after dark — the stadium's steel weave glows red and the cube cycles through colours — so arriving in late afternoon lets you see the architecture in daylight and then stay for the illuminated facades. Metro Line 8 (Olympic Sports Center or Olympic Green) drops you right at the park, and the area runs late.