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.
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. (See our family tour packages). 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 30C° (86°F) in winter. Coffee shops, leisure centers and VIP boxes are also available inside the water park.
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)
Related Links
Hi, there is not big event during the first week of April in Beijing and it''s not peak season, so there won''t be much people. During weekends, there may be crowds in highlight attractions.
Dear John,
You can swim at public swimming pool of the Water Cube. The entrance fee is CNY50 per person, including locker and shower.
openning time:
ordinary day(Mon-Fri):13:00pm-21:00pm
weekend (Sat-Sun): 9:00am-21:00pm
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