Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

The Beijing Olympics are fast approaching. The Games are being held from 8 C 24 August and China has promised to make them the best ever.

We got it!

Competing at the Olympic Games C the greatest show on earth C is the ultimate goal for every athlete. Steeped in tradition, this festival of sport showcases the greatest, fastest and strongest competitors in the world. There is no other contest like it.

On 13th July 2001, Beijing was selected to host the 2008 Summer Olympics. With the intent to showcase a "New Beijing" and to host a "Green Olympics", the Chinese authorities have given unprecedented support to this Olympic campaign. Embracing the latest technologies, the Chinese have been keen to demonstrate respect for the environment, as well as to ensure the Games are accessible to all. Beijing intends to set an example for how the Olympic agenda in the 21st century can be implemented.

As host nation, China is striving to create the most memorable Games-time experience for spectators and athletes alike. The Beijing Olympic Games will not just be a celebration of sport, but a celebration of humanity, under the banner of "One World, One Dream."

Beijing Olympic Special

The 'Seal'

Every emblem of the Olympics tells a story. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games emblem "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing" is filled with Beijing's hospitality and hopes, and carries the city's commitment to the world.

• Milestone
  "Dancing Beijing" is a milestone of the Olympics. It serves as a classic chapter of the Olympic epic inscribed by the spirit of the Chinese nation, calligraphed by the deeper import of the ancient civilization, and molded by the character of Cathay's descendents. It is concise yet deep inside, bringing forth the city's gradual changes and development. It appears dignified yet bears a tune of romance, reflecting the nation's thoughts and emotions.
  In the lead up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the emblem will attract more and more people from around the world to Beijing and China to join the great celebration with the Chinese people.

• Commitment
  "Dancing Beijing" is a Chinese Seal. It is engraved with commitment made to the Olympic Movement by a country that has 56 ethnic groups and a population of 1.3 billion. While witnessing the advocacy of the Olympic Spirit by a nation with both ancient civilization and modern culture, it also unfolds a future-oriented city's pursuit of the Olympic Ideal.
  It is a symbol of trust and an expression of self confidence, standing for the solemn yet sacred promise that Beijing - the host city of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games - has made to the world and to all mankind.
  "Complete sincerity can affect even metal and stone (literally meaning sincerity smoothes the way to success)." The inception of our ancestors' wisdom and the image of a seal made of metal and stone allow the emblem to present Chinese people's respect and honesty for the Olympics.
  The moment we earnestly imprint the emblem with the "Chinese seal", Beijing is about to show the world a grand picture of "peace, friendship, and progress of mankind" and to strike up the passionate movement of "faster, higher, and stronger" for mankind.

• Image
  "Dancing Beijing" serves as the city's foremost appearance. It is an image that shows the eastern ways of thinking and the nation's lasting appeal embodied in the Chinese characters. It is an expression that conveys the unique cultural quality and elegance of Chinese civilization.
  With inspiration from the traditional Chinese art form - calligraphic art, the character "Jing" (the latter of the city's name) is developed into the form of a dancing human being, reflecting the ideal of a "New Olympics". The words "Beijing 2008" also resembles the vivid shapes of Chinese characters in handwriting, voicing in concise strokes of the countless feelings Chinese people possess towards the Olympics.
  As people ponder on the rich connotations and charms of these Chinese characters, a "New Beijing" has thus been brought forward.

• Beauty
  "Dancing Beijing" is a favorite color of the Chinese people. The color "red" is intensively used in the emblem, pushing the passion up to a new level. It carries Chinese people's longing for luck and happiness and their explanation of life.
  Red is the color of the Sun and the Holy Fire, representing life and a new beginning. Red is mind at ease, symbol of vitality, and China's blessing and invitation to the world.

• Hero
  "Dancing Beijing" calls upon heroes. Olympic Games functions as the stage where heroes are made known, miracles created and glories earned, and where every participant constitutes an indispensable part of the occasion.
  The powerful and dynamic design of the emblem is a life poem written by all participants with their passion, affections, and enthusiasm. It is an oath every participant takes to contribute power and wisdom to the Olympics.
  The emblem cheers for arts and for the Olympic heroes, who pass down the essence of the Olympic Spirit, which well connects sports and cultures.

• Spirit
  "Dancing Beijing" extends the totem of the Chinese nation. The form of a running human being stands for the beauty and magnificence of life. Its graceful curves are like the body of a wriggling dragon, relating the past and future of one same civilization; they are like rivers, carrying the century-old history and the nation's pride; they are like veins, pulsing with vitality of life.
  The intrinsic values of sports -- athlete-centered and people-oriented - are well defined and upgraded in an artistic way in "the dance of Beijing." We sing if words fail to explain it all, and we dance if the singing does not explicitly tell the meaning.
  Vigorous Beijing is looking forward to the celebration in 2008 and the Olympics wait all mankind to dance together.

• Invitation
  "Dancing Beijing" is a kind invitation. The open arms in the emblem say that China is opening its arms to welcome the rest of the world to join the Olympics, a celebration of "peace, friendship and progress of mankind."
  "Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?" The idiom portrays the feelings of friendly and hospitable Chinese people and expresses the sincerity of the city.
  Come to Beijing, take a good look at the historical heritages of China's Capital city, and feel the pulse of the country's modernization;
  Come, share every piece of its joy, and experience the vigor of the country;
  Come, and let us together weave a peaceful and wonderful dream.

The mascots

Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace -- and good wishes from China -- to children all over the world.

Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals -- the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow -- and the Olympic Flame.

Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name -- a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow.

When you put their names together -- Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni -- they say "Welcome to Beijing," offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games.

Embodiment

Fuwa also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature -- the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky -- all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation.

• Beibei: In China's traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life.
  The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among Fuwa, Beibei is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blue Olympic ring.

• Jingjing: Jingjing makes children smile -- and that's why he brings the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. You can see his joy in the charming naivety of his dancing pose and the lovely wave of his black and white fur. As a national treasure and a protected species, pandas are adored by people everywhere. The lotus designs in Jingjing's headdress, which are inspired by the porcelain paintings of the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-1234), symbolize the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Jingjing was chosen to represent our desire to protect nature's gifts -- and to preserve the beauty of nature for all generations. Jingjing is charmingly na?ve and optimistic. He is an athlete noted for strength who represents the black Olympic ring.

• Huanhuan: In the intimate circle of Fuwa, Huanhuan is the big brother. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport -- and passion is the blessing he bestows. Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. And while he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger, he is also open and inviting. Wherever the light of Huanhuan shines, the inviting warmth of Beijing 2008 -- and the wishful blessings of the Chinese people -- can be felt. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals -- with just a touch of China's traditional lucky designs. Huanhuan is outgoing and enthusiastic. He excels at all the ball games and represents the red Olympic ring.

• Yingying: Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftly cover great stretches of land as he races across the earth. A symbol of the vastness of China's landscape, the antelope carries the blessing of health, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Yingying's flying pose captures the essence of a species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection in China. The selection of the Tibetan Antelope reflects Beijing's commitment to a Green Olympics. His head ornament incorporates several decorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and the ethnic design traditions of Western China. Strong in track and field events, Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents the yellow Olympic ring.

• Nini: Every spring and summer, the children of Beijing have flown beautiful kites on the currents of wind that blow through the capital. Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally one of the most popular. Nini's figure is drawn from this grand tradition of flying designs. Her golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Swallow is also pronounced "yan" in Chinese, and Yanjing is what Beijing was called as an ancient capital city. Among Fuwa, Nini is as innocent and joyful as a swallow. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympic ring.

Torch Relay

The design of the Olympic Torch is based on traditional scrolls and uses a traditional Chinese design known as the "Propitious Clouds". The torch is designed to remain lit in 65 kilometer per hour winds, and in rain of up to 50 millimeters per hour. The relay, with the theme Journey of Harmony, is expected to last 130 days and carry the torch 137,000 km (85,000 mi)the longest distance of any Olympic torch relay since the tradition began at the 1936 Berlin Games. So far, the torch relay has been called a "public relations disaster" by The Times for China, with protests of China's human rights record, particularly in Tibet.

Route of the 2008 Olympic Torch Relay

The relay began 24 March 2008, in Olympia, Greece. From there, it traveled across Greece to Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, and then to Beijing, arriving on 31 March. From Beijing, the torch followed a route passing through every continent except Antarctica. The torch visited cities on the Silk Road, symbolizing ancient links between China and the rest of the world. A total of 21,880 torchbearers have been selected from around the world by various organizations and entities.

The international portion of the relay has been a problematic, month-long world tour that has seen wide-scale protests to China's human rights abuses and recent crackdown in Tibet. After trouble in London saw several attempts to put out the flame, the following day, the flame was extinguished in Paris. The American leg in San Francisco on 9 April was altered without prior warning to avoid such scenes, although there were still demonstrations along the original route, but the remaining legs have not been as disastrous. The relay was further delayed and simplified after the devastating 2008 Sichuan earthquake affecting western China.

The original route included a stop in Taipei before heading for Hong Kong. Taiwan's government, however, later rejected this proposal, claiming that such arrangement would make the Taiwan relay be seen as part of China's domestic route, rather than the international route. The IOC eliminated Taipei from the relay; both China and Taiwan have blamed each other for injecting politics into the event.

Where to see

Though the city is gonna be jammed with people, it is still worth going out and enjoy the Olympic atmosphere, after all, it's the first time in Beijing and the Olympic Games only takes place once every four years. Ok back to the topic. The best places to go during the Olympics are, of course, those stadiums and places that's set for the Games. Watch a game in person will be the most unforgetful experience in your whole life. The following is a list of where you can visit during the Olympics.

Bird's Nest - Beijing National Stadium

The Beijing National Stadium, also known as the bird's nest will be the main track and field stadium for the 2008 Summer Olympics and will be host to the Opening and Closing ceremonies. In 2002 Government officials engaged architects worldwide in a design competition. Pritzker Prize-winning architects Herzog & de Meuron collaborated with ArupSport and China Architecture Design & Research Group to win the competition. The stadium will seat as many as 100,000 spectators during the Olympics, but this will be reduced to 80,000 after the games. It has replaced the original intended venue of the Guangdong Olympic Stadium. The stadium is 330 metres long by 220 metres wide, and is 69.2 metres tall. The 250,000 square metre (gross floor area) stadium is to be built with 36 km of unwrapped steel, with a combined weight of 45,000 tonnes. The stadium will cost up to 3.5 billion yuan (422,873,850 USD/ 325,395,593 EUR). The ground was broken in December 2003, and construction started in March 2004, but was halted by the high construction cost in August 2004.

In the new design, the roof of the stadium had been omitted from the design. Experts say that this will make the stadium safer, whilst reducing construction costs. The construction of the Olympic buildings will continue once again in the beginning of 2005.

Water Cube

The National Aquatics Centre, known as 'The Water Cube', will be one of the most dramatic and exciting venues to feature sporting events for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

In July 2003, the consortium of Arup, architecture firm PTW, the CSCEC (China State Construction and Engineering Corporation) and the CSCEC Shenzhen Design Institute (CSCEC+DESIGN) won the international design competition for the National Aquatics Centre for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The Water Cube looks set to be ready in October 2007. Both the concrete and the steel structure have been completed, and 500 square meters of prototype cladding was installed in April, 2006. The next phase is to install all of the cladding and then follow on with de-propping the internal structure and completing the interior.

Inspiration

To arrive at the building's structural design, which is based on the natural formation of soap bubbles to give a random, organic appearance, we used research undertaken by Weaire and Phelan (professors of physics) into how soap bubbles might be arranged in an infinite array.

To bring the design to life, the individual bubbles are incorporated into a plastic film and tailored like a sewing pattern. An entire section is pieced together and then put into place within the structure. There are interior and exterior films, and the film is then inflated once it is in-situ. It will be continuously pumped thereafter.

The actual pumping has been sub-contracted, and once the installation is complete the operator will be responsible for both the operation and maintenance of the facade for ten years. This was a key component of the brief and in the choice of contractor.

The project is an opportunity for us to offer our expertise in sustainable services. The building will use solar energy to heat the pools and the interior area, and all backwash water is to be filtered and returned to the swimming pools.

The scheme and design for the project was developed in Australia. Now the construction of the Water Cube has been completed and now is in use.

The Olympic Village

Covering an area of 66 hectares, the Village is located at the northwest corner of the Beijing Olympic Green, with the Olympic competition venues to its south and the Olympic Forest Park to its north.

The Olympic Village of the 29th Olympic Games includes two Beijing-based Media Villages, apartment buildings for athletes and officials of the delegations, and Sub-Villages in the co-host cities of Qingdao and Hong Kong.

The Olympic Village in Beijing will accommodate 16,000 athletes and team officials, and will act as the headquarters of the national (regional) Olympic committees and a place of meeting for chefs de mission. In addition, it is a place to welcome the delegations and hold various cultural activities.

With a width of 800 meters and length of 800 meters, the Village includes athletes' apartment buildings in the south, a flag-raising square, a "Peace Square" and an Olympic Truce Wall in the north, in addition to temporary facilities.

After the Olympics

After the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics, the Village will be converted into a tourist spot and a residential area. As a legacy of the Olympics, the flag-raising square and other Olympic sites will remain permanently open to visitors, while the apartment buildings will be available to Beijing residents in 2009.

The Olympic Village will open on July 27, 2008, and close on August 28, 2008. It will function as the Paralympic Village during the Paralympics. The Paralympic Village will open on August 30 and close on September 20. It will take 26 hours to convert the Olympic Village into the Paralympic Village with a two-day test run.

China Century Altar

China Century Altar (Zhong Hua Shi Ji Tan) is located between the China Revolutionary and Military Museum in the China Central Television Station in the extended line of the Changan Avenue. China Century Altar is built to welcome the new century. It occupies an area of 4.5 hectares including the Sacred Fire Square, Bronze Path, Main Altar, Cross-street Bridge, Century Hall, Art Hall, relief sculpture symbolizing 56 ethnic groups, Century Bell, Culture Square and so on.

At the entrance of the far south, there stands a white marble stele with a length of 9 meters and a height of 1.05 meters which inscribed the epigraph "Zhong Hua Shi Ji Tan" by the former present Jiang Zemin. It is reported as the biggest white marble in the world. The north side of the stele is the sinkage round square. In the center is the sacred fire which indicates the permanent civilization of the Chinese nation.

• The main building of the China Century Altar totally has five floors with two underground. It composed of a resting cloister and a revolving altar cover. The center of the revolving structure is a flat platform which can be used as the performance stage of all kinds of activities. The 27.6 meters height space probe above the revolving altar that shaped like a rocket is the symbol of the permanently extended space and time and the embodiment of the innovation spirits of the Chinese people. China Century Altar is a modern construction combined with the profound ancient Chinese culture and civilization. It is also the representative of the modern Chinese architecture.

The China Century Altar has held many ceremonies about national events like the Olympics. A huge ceremony took place here on July 13, 2008, to celebrate that Beijing got the rights to hold the 29th Olympic Games.

You can walk around this area and feel the great joy of Chinese people.

Olympic Weather

'Will I be bothered by extreme heat or endless rainfall during the great times of Olympic in Beijing?' Now you will find out:

Though August is not the hottest month of the year, you should pay attention to the strong ultraviolet radiation. The average daily maximum temperature in August is 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) so it is advisable to bring sunglasses, sun block, and light clothes to remain comfortable in the hot summer weather.

Get around in Beijing

Though many residents of Beijing know conversational English, one should not count on finding a taxi driver who knows English well. Neither should a foreigner with minimal experience with the Chinese language put undue faith in his or her ability to pronounce Chinese place names so that a local can understand clearly. Before embarking on a trip around the city, print out the names of places you want to visit in Chinese characters. Show the text to the taxi driver, or just ask for help on the street. You have more chance to get help in English if you address younger people, as many schools in China have expanded their English education in the last few years.

By train / subway

The subway is a good way to quickly get around the city and a traveler can easily figure it out through the station maps and English signs and language. Be warned that due to the decrease in ticket prices the network is extremely overcrowded right now, especially on line 1 and at rush hour. Beijing now has five subway lines (beginning October 7, 2007):

1. Line 1 runs from the industrial Pingguoyuan area in the west to Sihui East in eastern Beijing. It has 21 stops and follows Chang'an Avenue, the main avenue of Beijing. It links Xidan, Tian'anmen East and West, Wangfujing, Dongdan, Guomao, and Yong'anli. Transfer stations are at Fuxingmen (Line 2), Dongdan (Line 5), Jianguomen (Line 2), and Sihui/Sihui East (Batong Line). The visual identifying color is Red.

2. Line 2 is also called the Loop Line and follows the north part of the 2nd Ring Road and Qianmen Avenue. Major stops of interest include Qianmen, a major transportation hub as well as an attraction in its own right. Transfer stations are at Fuxingmen (Line 1), Jianguomen (Line 1), Yonghegong the Lama Temple (Line 5), Chongwenmen (Line 5), Xizhimen (Line 13), and Dongzhimen (Line 13). The visual identifying color is Blue.

3. Line 5 is Beijing's first north-south subway line. It is a brand new line opened at October 7, 2007. Useful stops include the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan Dongmen). Transfer stations are at Lishuiqiao (Line 13), Yonghegong the Lama Temple (Line 2), Dongdan (Line 1), and Chongwenmen (Line 2). The visual identifying color is Green.

4. Line 13 does an extended northern semi-loop from Dongzhimen via Huilongguan through to Xizhimen. Transfer stations are at Xizhimen and Dongzhimen (both to Line 2), Lishuiqiao (Line 5). The visual identifying color is Orange Yellow.

5. Batong Line (aka Line 8T) runs east from Sihui to Tuqiao in eastern suburban Beijing. Transfer stations are at Sihui and Sihui East (both to Line 1). The Batong Line is not of much use for travelers. The visual identifying color is Red.

Subway station in Beijing

Seven additional subway lines are under construction in preparation for the 2008 Olympics.

The subway station entrances are identified by a large blue stylized letter G wrapped around a smaller letter B.

Purchase tickets at the window. Note that if you want two tickets, do not show your thumb and index finger, the Chinese way to signify numbers is different from the west, thumb and index finger mean eight not two.

The subway ticket costs 2RMB since October 7, 2007. From March 2008 the flat fare of 2RMB will be replaced by a new charge by distance similar to the systems used in Hong Kong and London. There is a pre-paid card system. There is a 20RMB payment for the card. It can also be used for reduced-price bus rides.

By bicycle

Once known as a nation of bicycles, China today has an evergrowing number of private car owners. So, nowadays you are guaranteed to see more bikes in any city in the Netherlands than in Bejing. Exploring Beijing on a bike is excellent since the city is flat as a pancake, and all major streets have bike lanes. Bicycling is often faster than car, taxi or bus because of the traffic congestion in the motorized traffic lanes.

While you will see bicyclists use many creative paths across wide, busy intersections in Beijing, the safest way for bicyclists is to observe the traffic signals (there are often special signals for bicyclists) and to make left turns in two steps as a pedestrian would. But if you spend any significant amount of time bicycling in Beijing, you will probably start adopting more creative approaches. These can be learned by finding a local bicyclist going your way and following him or her across the intersection.

Several professional bike rental companies, as well as major hotels and some hostels, rent bikes on an hourly basis. For those who need the security of a guide, a bike touring company like Bicycle Kingdom Rentals & Tours would be a great way to go.

By bus

Beijing's bus system is cheap, convenient and covers the entire cityperfect for locals but, alas, difficult to use if you don't understand Chinese. The bus staff speak little English, and only a few bus lines in the city center broadcast stop names in English. Bus stop signs are also entirely in Chinese. But should you speak Chinese or have a healthy sense of adventure, a bus can get you almost anywhere, and often somewhere that you never intended to go: it's a great way to see parts of the city that tourists normally don't visit.

Most bus fares are relatively cheap, but if you get a public transportation card from a metro station (a card that acts as a debit card for the metro and buses) you can get a 60% discount on all fares.

By minibus

Minibuses are very common in the countryside outside the urban areas. Privately operated, most trips cost less than 10RMB per short journey and only a little more for longer journeys.

By taxi

Taxis are the preferred choice for getting around, as they are convenient and are fairly inexpensive for travelers from Western countries. The only downside is that Beijing's congested traffic often results in long jams. Vehicles used as taxis include the Hyundai Sonata and Elantra, Volkswagen Santana and Jetta (the old model, designed in the 1980s), and China-made Citroens. These taxis are dark red, or yellow top with dark blue bottom, or painted with new colors (see picture). Luxurious black executive cars (usually Audis) can also be found, usually waiting outside hotels.

Beginning from June 2006, all taxis charge a starting fee of 10RMB, and an additional 2RMB per kilometer after the first 3km. Taxi meters keep running when the speed is slower than 12km per hr. or when waiting for green lights; five minutes of waiting time equals 1 km running. Outside of rush hour, an average trip through the city costs around 20-25RMB, and a cross-town journey about 50RMB (for example, from the city center to the northern side of the Fourth Ring Road).

If you want a tour around Beijing and its vicinities, you can ask your hotel to hire a cab for one day or several days. It usually costs 400-600RMB per day, depending on where you go. If you have Chinese-speaking assistance, then bargain down the cost. No matter the cost, the taxi is yours for the day and will wait for you at various destinations.

Be Careful

Crossing the road in China is an art and may be difficult for pedestrians unused to the particular driving styles of Beijiingers. Before crossing, assume that none of the road users will give way to you, even if a policeman is present. Zebra crossings are redundant. Chinese drivers always keep one hand on the horn and will play games of chicken with pedestrians. Should you hear a loud horn when crossing the road, always look around as there is probably a car right behind you or heading straight for you. Should you find several cars and bicycles meandering towards you from different directions, do not try to run to safety, but instead stand still. For drivers a stationary obstacle is easier to avoid. Also note that traffic light crossings have zebra stripes painted on the road, but you should only cross when the walk light is green.

Avoiding scams and fakes

All official taxis have license plates beginning with the letter "B". "Black cabs" may look like taxis but their license plates will start with letters other than B. It's nearly impossible to hail a black cab on the streets; they generally hang out around tourist sights like the Great Wall and the Summer Palace or around subway stops. Black cabs will charge you a higher fee for the journey, unless you are a good bargainer, know where you are going, and know what the right fare should be. Sometimes they drop foreign tourists in wrong places. In some extreme cases, the driver may even take them to the countryside and rob them. If you find you hired a fake taxi and are overcharged, don't argue if you are alone, pay the driver and remember the car's license plate number, then call police later.

To avoid being taken advantage of, it is a good idea to know the rough direction, cost, and distance of your destination. You can easily find this out from asking locals before calling a cab. Verify these values with the taxicab driver to show them that you are in the know, and are probably too much trouble to cheat. Keep track of the direction of travel with a compass and/or the sun. If the cab goes in the wrong direction for a long distance, verify the location with the taxi driver. For scamming drivers, that is usually enough for them to go back on the right track (without ever acknowledging that they were trying to cheat you). Honest drivers will explain why they are going that way.

Keep in mind that central Beijing can be off limits at certain times, forcing cabs to reroute. And some roads forbid left turns (with big road signs) either at certain hours or all the time, so the driver might make a detour.

Where to live during the Olympics

There are two kinds of places that you can live in during the Olympics: hotels and rented apartments.

The following is a list of hotels of different levels in Beijing:

Class	Area	Address
5-star hotel
Plaza Royale Hotel, Beijing	International Commercial Area	No.23 West Dawang Road, Chaoyang District , 100022
Beijing Xinyuan Hotel	West Train Station	No. 6, Shifangyuan, Haidian District , 100036
Wangfujing Grand Hotel, Beijing	Tian'an Men Square/Wangfujing Avenue	No.57 Wangfujing Avenue , 100006
International Hotel, Beijing	Jian Guo Men Area	No.9, Jianguomennei Dajie, East Distric , 100005
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Beijing	Tian'an Men Square/Wangfujing Avenue	48 Wangfujing Ave., Dongcheng District , 100006
4-star hotel
Radisson sas hotel, Beijing	International Exhibition Center	No. 6A, East Beisanhuan Road , 100028
Dongjiaominxiang Hotel, Beijing	Tian'an Men Square/Wangfujing Avenue	NO.23A Dongjiaominixiang, Dongcheng District , 100006
Novotel Xinqiao Hotel, Beijing	Jian Guo Men Area	No. 2 Dongjiao Min Xiang , 100004
Sino Swiss Hotel, Beijing	Airport area	Nan Xiaotianzhu Road Capital Airport , 100621

Renting Apartment

Due to the Olympic Games, now there are plenty of well-remodeled apartments that you can rent for a short period. For some apartments, you can even rent without a security deposit, which makes you feel safe with your money.

The price for an apartment per month varies from the place it locates and the standard of how good it has been remodeled, also the facilities inside the apartment. The price can be from 2000 RMB to 4000RMB a month.

Entertainment

Shopping

Where to buy some souvenirs of Olympics? There are counters of Beijing Olympic Souvenir in most of the big stores, shopping malls and supermarkets. The products vary from stuffed animals, watches, T-shirts to pens and sun glasses. The price is reasonable.

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Highlights

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Highlights Related

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games FAQ & Travelers's Tips

The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the 29th Olympiad, are an international multi-sport event, which will be held in Beijing, the capital of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008. Beijing warmly welcomes visitors from all around the world and makes great effort to present a grand sports show.

	New competition venues
S	National Stadium (the Bird's Nest)
t	National Aquatics Center (The "Water Cube")
a	National Indoor Stadium
d	Beijing Shooting Range Hall
i	Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium
u	Laoshan Velodrome
m	Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park
	China Agricultural University Gymnasium
N	Peking University Gymnasium
a	Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium
m	Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium
e	Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Court

As the host city, Beijing provides 37 competition venues and 59 training venues where 28 different kinds of sporting events can take place. Among the competition venues, 31 are located in Beijing and six in other cities, including a sailing center in Qingdao, football venues in the cities of Tianjin, Shenyang, Shanghai and Qinhuangdao and equestrian Venues in Hong Kong. Of the 31 competition venues in Beijing, 11 are new ones, 11 are existing venues which need renovating or expanding and nine are temporary venues.

	Existing Venues in Beijing
*	Olympic Sports Center Stadium
*	Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium
*	Beijing Workers' Stadium
*	Beijing Workers' Gymnasium
*	Capital Indoor Stadium
*	Fengtai Sports Center Softball Field
*	Yingdong Natatorium of National Olympic Sports Center
*	Laoshan Mountain Bike Course
*	Beijing Shooting Range CTF
*	Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium Venues for '08 Beijing Olympic Games
*	Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics Gymnasium

The venues in Beijing are located in four areas, which include the main area - the Olympic Green and three sub-areas. Olympic Green is located at the north end of the central axis of Beijing City. A forest park, a central area including competition venues, Olympic Village, the Main Press Center (MPC), and the International Broadcasting Center (IBC) and so on for Olympic Games can be found at Olympic Green. The three sub-areas include the University Area in Haidian District in the northwestern part of Beijing, the Western Community Area in the western part of Beijing and the North Scenic and Tourist Area in the northern part of the city.

	Temporary Venues in Beijing
*	Fencing Hall of National Convention Center
*	Beijing Olympic Green Hockey Stadium
*	Beijing Olympic Green Archery Field
*	Beijing Wukesong Sports Center Baseball Field
*	Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground
*	Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue
*	Triathlon Venue
*	Road Cycling Course

All the competition and training venues are within 5-30 minutes drive from the Olympic Village. Most of the competition venues are located at expressways in the city, with easy access to all destinations. There are several subway stations to connect the Olympic Green and the downtown area. Besides, people can also choose buses, taxis or to drive to Olympic Green.

	Venues in other cities
*	Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center
*	Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue (Beas River & Shatin)
*	Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium
*	Shanghai Stadium
*	Shenyang Olympic Stadium
*	Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium