Water Cube

Located in the Olympic Green of Beijing with Bird's Nest in the east, the Water Cube is the main natatorium for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, also one of the Games’ iconic structures. The Water Cube is 177 meters square and 30 meters high and has 6,000 permanent seats (the 11,000 temporary for the Olympics have been removed). Looking from outside, the building is a gigantic blue rectangular box of bubble-wrap which is elegant and magic. At here, swimmer broke 25 world records during the 2008 Olympics and American swimmer Michael Phelps got eight medals.

Water Cube and Bird's Nest are located at both sides of Beijing city’s central axis. One square and one round indicating the traditional Chinese idea sky is round while the earth is square, forming a unique landscape of People’s Olympic. The Water Cube has four floors: the one below street level is the service area during the Olympics, the first floor is for tourists while the second is auditorium, and the third is business area.

Design and Construction

The design of the Water Cube is based on cell arrangement and natural structure of soap bubble and its membrane structure is the first in the world. Combine modern technologies with Chinese traditional values, the design was initiated by a team effort of Chinese and Australian. The Chinese partners thought the building should be a square considering its relationship to the round Bird's Nest stadium, which meets the idea of heaven is round while earth is square in Chinese culture. The Australian partners came up with the idea of covering the 'cube' with bubbles, symbolizing water.

In July 200, the idea won out from an international architectural competition for the aquatic center project and on December 24, 2003, the construction of the Center was started. After four years’ hard work, the Center was completed and handed over for use on January 28, 2008. Covering an area of 62,950 sq meters (75,287 sq yard), Water Cube is blue in order to reflect sunlight and the whole construction cost CNY10.2 billion. The ETFE membrane used in the Water Cube is the first in the world. Visitors may feel magic that the material can breathe, wash face and even repair by their own.

Visiting Guide

After the 2008 Olympics, Water Cube was converted into a multi-functional center for sports, culture and recreation and half of it was revamped to a water park open to public. At night, the Center is extremely beautiful which looks iridescent and magic resembling a gigantic blue box of bubble-wrap. The Olympic pool and warm-up pool are for international games and many people consider this pool is the fastest Olympic pool in the world. Multi-functional Hall on the west side can host large international culture and recreation exchanges.

Water Amusement Park

This park is the largest and the best of its kind in China and boasts many top-level advanced water recreation facilities. It is an ideal place for families with kids to escape the summer heat and have fun. Among the many activities, Tornado is the most popular one. Bullet Bowl is the first indoor bowl slide in Asia while AQUALOOP at here is one of the three of its kind in the world. Speed Slide, with a maximum speed of 6M/S, is the first transparent indoor speed slide on earth. Apartment from these, Kid’s Pool and RIDEHOUSE are welcomed by kids while Lazy River, Pipeline and WAVEPOOL are for those adventurous.

The Water-drop Theater and the business section with various souvenirs related to Water Cube are also worth to visit. Besides, you can enjoy gourmet meals in water-theme restaurants and bars.