Water Cube

Water Cube

The National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube, is located on Olympic Green, with the Bird’s Nest Stadium, on Beijing's north-south axis. It was built as the main natatorium for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and became known as one of the Games' iconic structures. This is where American swimmer Michael Phelps got eight medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Come and marvel at the Water Cube and Beijing's other ancient wonders with an Olympic Memories Tour.

The Water Cube was designed by PTW Architects and Ove Arup. Their unique and inspired design was based on the way soap bubbles come together in a 12 or 14-sided cell structure.

The Water Cube is 177 meters square and 30 meters high, and has a capacity of 17,000 seats (6,000 permanent and 11,000 temporary for the Olympics). During the Olympic Games, it was the main venue for swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water polo. It is now a multi-functional center for sports, recreation and fitness.

Also read top night spots in Beijing.

Travel Essentials

Opening hours: 10:00-21:30 daily

Admission fee:

  • Admission is free for children shorter than 1.2 meters (accompanied by at least one paying adult)
  • 30 yuan per ticket (Water Cube visit only)
  • 200 yuan per ticket (including Water Cube visit and water amusement park)
  • 160 yuan per ticket (for children 1.2-1.4 m or 3.9-4.6 ft tall, including Water Cube visit and water amusement park)
  • 50 yuan per ticket (swimming only; valid for 2 hours, including locker and shower)
Also Read: Beijing's Trendiest Nightlife

Water Amusement Park

After a major transformation after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Water Cube was turned into a large water amusement park and reopened to the public in August 2010. The new water amusement park inside the Water Cube is the largest and the best of its kind in China, allowing a functional capacity of 6,000 people. It is an ideal place for families with kids to escape the summer heat and have fun. It is equipped with many amusement facilities, such as wave machines, speed slides and aqualoops. The water temperature is said to be controlled at 23°C(73°F) in summer and 30°C(86°F) in winter. Coffee shops, leisure centers and VIP boxes are also available inside the water park.

Opening hours: 10:00-22:00

Ticket price:

  • Full price: 200 yuan (including Water Cube admission)
  • Discount price: 160 yuan (children 1.2-1.5 meter tall)
  • Children shorter than 1.2 meters enter for free when accompanied by an adult paying full price.

Transportation:

  • By subway: take Line 10 to Beitucheng Station, transfer to Line 8 and get off at Olympic Green Station. Use Exit A and walk southwards for 5 to 8 minutes to the entrance of the Southeast Gate of Water Cube.
  • By public bus: No. 696, 689, 658, 753, 660, 839, 944, 983, 939, 407, 386, 611, 82, 538, 81, 86.

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Hi, I'm Candice Song
I updated this article on January 28, 2013
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Q: feni Asked on 2012-11-21 Reply
Hi, is the water cube open during winter (december)? And is there any event (especially sports) at Bird Nest during 23-29 December 2012?

Hi Feni, yes, the Water Cube is open during winter (December). But there is not any sport events during 23-29 December 2012.

Whitney Liao Replied on 2012-11-22
Q: BILL ZENZ Asked on 2012-11-08 Reply
1. I need directions,cost and time to visit the Confucius Temple on Guoijian street inside Anding Gate from the New Dragon Hotel?2. I need directions,cost and time from the Confucius Temple to the Beijing Drum & Bell Tower?3. I need directions,cost and time from the Beijing Drum and Bell Tower to the New CCTV Tower4. Is there a romantic restuarant close to the CCTV Tower you can recommend?5. I need directions,cost and time from the CCTV Tower to the New Dragon Hotel?Thank You3. I need directions,cost,and time from the Beijing Zoo to

Hi Bill, we can arrange all these for you with private car and English speaking tour guide. We will send you the itinerary with details on time and attractions. In order to give you the exact price, please help me with below the information:

1.  Number of people in your group

2.  Length of stay in Beijing

3.   Starting date of the tour

4.   Class of Hotel:3 / 4 / 5 star

Thanks, have a great day!

 

Whitney Liao Replied on 2012-11-11
Q: BILL ZENZ Asked on 2012-11-08 Reply
1. From my hotel I can walk to Tianamen Sq. and Forbidden City. What is the cost and time needed to see all attractions in those 2 areas?2. What would be the directions,cost, and time to get to the Qianmen Quanjude roast duck restuarant from Tianamen Sq.?3. I need directions,cost, and time from the Qiamen restuarant to the New Dragon hotel?4. Is it safe to walk the streets after dark within to first 2 rings of beijing?

Hi BILL, we can arrange a private car and English speaking tour guide for you. Then you can travel at your pace, no matter quick or slow, depends on you. Then you don't have to worry whether it is safe or not walking the streets after dark, okay? Please let me know the number of people in your group. Then we will send you a detailed itinerary.

Whitney Liao Replied on 2012-11-11
Q: BILL ZENZ Asked on 2012-11-08 Reply
1. I AM GOING TO THE BADALING GREAT WALL BY TRAIN BUT I SEE THAT THERE IS NO TRAINS LEAVING THE GREAT WALL. PLEASE GIVE ME DIRECTIONS,COST AND TIME IT WOULD TAKE FROM THE GREAT WALL TO THE BIRD''S NEST?2. I NEED DIRECTIONS,COST AND TIME TO LEAVE THE BIRD''S NEST TO THE SGT''S PEPPERS RESTUARANT LOCATED AT 1 NONGZHAN LU, CHAOYANY GONGYUAN XI MEN,BEIJING?3. I NEED DIRESTIONS,COST AND TIME FROM SGT''S PEPPER RESTAURANT TO NO.26 SHIJIA HUGTONG,DONGDAN NORTH STREET,DONGCHENG, BEIJING

Hi BILL, we can arrange a private van and English speaking tour guide for you, to cover all these places. Please let me know the number of people in your group. Then we will quote you the exact price and time, okay?

Whitney Liao Replied on 2012-11-11
Q: YAT Asked on 2012-08-14 Reply
WHAT IS THE TRAIN LINE CAN I TAKE FROM BEIJING CENTRAL TO ICE CUBE?
Dear Mr. Gupta, Thank you for your inquiry. The Ice Cube and the Bird Nest are in the same place—Olympic Park. I assumed that you will start in Dengshikou Street- the central business street in Beijing: 1. Take Metro Line 5 (Tongtianyuanbei Direction/通天苑北方向) at Dengshikou station(灯市口), and get off at Huixin West Street South station(惠新西街南口). 2. Take Metro Line 10 (Bagou Direction/巴沟方向) and get off at Beitucheng station(北土城站). 3. Take Metro Line 3 (Huilongguan East Street Direction/回龙观东大街方向) and get off at Olympic Park station(奥林匹克公园). The whole tour will take about 50 minutes. If you take a taxi, it will cost about CNY30 and 20 minuets. Doris Huang Replied on 2012-08-15