Introduction of Tourist Attractions
    The main body of the National Stadium looks like a bird's nest where steel frames support each other and converge into a grid formation to embrace the bowl-shaped seating area. The unique structure renders a strong visual impact and demonstrates harmony with nature. Visitors can feast their eyes from different angles upon the building: huge web-like facade, vast spectator concourse under picturesque light, grand skyrocketing steel stairs and forest-like steel roof .
    "Centennial Olympics - A Fulfilled Dream for China". As the symbol of a rising Chinese nation, "Bird's Nest" has now become a landmark for a modern China and a new Beijing as well as a must spot for tourists both at home and abroad.
Briefs of "Bird's Nest"
1. Features of the Bird's Nest
     Engineering features of the project are displayed on the first and fifth floor in the Bird's Nest.
    (1) The 2.5-meter-high and 1.2-ton-heavy steel models of Multiple K-node, which are made of the steel used in "Bird's Nest" are displayed in both north and south sides on the first floor.
The models tell visitors how complicated the grid-like steel formation is by directly presenting the "box section".
    (2) Parts of "Bird's Nest" are constructed with Q460E-Z35 Steel of 100-110mm thick which is of the highest strength among the steel applied to construction in the world.
The thick plate welding model of "Bird's Nest" allows visitors to feel how strong the steel is.
    (3) The cross-layer inclined columns have showed how the construction has successfully addressed the difficulties in concrete structures, thus making breakthroughs in the international building technology and reaching the cutting-edge level in the world.
    (4) Geo-heat pump showcase: the dynamic model gives visitors an opportunity to better understand the "green scheme" of Bird's Nest through on-site demonstration of the collection and utilization of geothermal energy.
    (5) Structural health detection system: according to the test results, it can make a real-time detection and exhibition of the building's expansion and contraction, simulate cloud pictures of Bird's Nest in different seasons, as well as display and control all kinds of statistics, such as the stress and strain, wind speed, deformation and direction and vibration with real-time graph.
    (6) Cladding Structure: it can be seen and touched by tourists who will definitely be impressed.
    (7) Siphonic drainage system: the system installed on the roof is brought nearer to visitors by convex lens which gives a crystal view of well-placed siphon rainfall tubes. Moreover, with the help of text and pictures' illustration, visitors will get a clear idea of the system.
    (8) Lighting system: LED simulation system gives visitors an opportunity to appreciate the stunning nightscape in the daytime. Tourists can select their favorite lighting modes simply by pressing the buttons.
    (9) Mobile lawn showcase: perhaps you have heard of mobile lawn padding technology applied to the stadiums, but have you ever seen it? In the Bird's Nest, a complete piece of lawn pad is showcased for tourists to observe the layered cultivation and the structure at the bottom.
2. Olympic-themed Tourist Attractions
    (1) The Olympic Torch - Lucky Cloud
     Let's observe the "Lucky Cloud" torch more closely and have a deeper understanding of its design concept and lighting technology. At the same time, we can relive the wonderful moments during 2008 torch relay.
    (2) Segways
    With excellent agility and safety, segways are simple to use. Therefore, everyone can handle it in a short time. During the Olympics, staff on segways can be seen everywhere. It is a good helper.
    (3) "Little Porter"
    Have you noticed the small electric car of remote control in Olympic track and field events? It is the so-called "little porter" which was used to fetch the equipment back to the throwing place in discus, javelin and hammer competitions. The little porter has not only saved effort for the staff, but also improved the games' efficiency.
    (4) The Olympic Media Area
    The National Stadium boasts the biggest venue media center for Beijing Olympics and the Paralympics.The venue media centre is mainly composed of media stands (including stands for photographers and journalists), media workshop, mixed media zone, press conference room and media lounge.
    Media stands are very close to the end of the track, providing unobstructed views. A total of 1,000 tabled press tribunes and 900 non-tabled press tribunes were placed during the event, some of which have been replaced with audience stands after the Olympics, while some remained unchanged.
    The media workshop in the National Stadium, which can hold 500 journalists and 100 photographers working at the same time, has been transformed into a concessionaire after the Games.To the opposite of media stand lies the mixed media zone, the press conference room and media lounge.
   (5) The Exhibition of Props Used at Olympics and Paralympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies
    What are on display include some of the props used at the opening ceremony of the Olympics and Paralympics, such as the Fou (an ancient percussion instrument), Guqin (a type of seven-stringed plucked instrument), oars and bamboo slips.
    A. Starting point of 100-meter race
    B. Photo moat
    C. Olympic flag poles
    D. Picture presentation of "Olympic Moments" and "Bird's Nest Constructors"
   (6) The Torch Square:
    Located to the northeast of Bird's Nest base and close to warm-up field, the Torch Square covers an area of 1060 square meters with the torch tower standing in middle.
    The "Lucky Cloud" Torch Tower, 32 meters high, 13.2 meters wide, 32 meters thick and 46 tons heavy, was successfully removed on January 16, 2011 from northeast (28°) at the top of the steel structure in National Stadium to the northeast of Bird's Nest base. It was horizontally placed before use, and stood at the top of the inner edge of Bird's Nest by a drive system when in use. With the closure of Olympic Games and the Paralympics, the tower has completed its historical mission. In consideration of its heavy weight and conditions of the steel roof, the long-term placement of the tower at the roof is not feasible.When the site selection was approved by Beijing Municipal Government, the torch was relocated at the current place where the Torch Square was formed as a remarkable landmark with free access to the public and tourists.
    The lighting of the Torch Square includes: 20 spotlights in the shape of silver "Lucky Cloud" at the top of the tower, 26 underground lights with red ribbons at the lower part of the tower, LED lamps on the railings and star-shaped spotlights on the ground.
3. VIP Tour Routes
     With the conclusion of the 2008 Olympics, the Bird's Nest has fulfilled numerous missions and left us plenty of secrets to explore. Let's join the VIP tour routes!
    (1)Visiting Areas
     Golden Hall on the ground floor, Rostrum on the second floor, VIP rooms No. 1 and No. 2, Standard route(the first floor and the fifth floor of the Venue)
    (2) VIP Tour Routes and Service;
    A: West Gate - Golden hall on the ground floor.
    B: Go to the second floor through golden channel.
    C: Go to the rostrum through the side entrances as the tour guide explains the venue.
    D: Enter VIP room No. 2 under the guidance of tour guide where he/she introduces sports history in ancient China.
    E: Free visit along the ordinary routes.
4. Planned Routes
     Visit to Steel Frames at the Bird's Nest Top.
     An upgraded walking path to appreciate the steel structure at the roof of the National Stadium will soon be opened to tourists.
     The path, a renovation project after the conclusion of the Olympics, allows visitors to explore the "steel forest" made of steel rods.
     Tourists can have an inside view of the steel structure by walking through the path designed for inner and neighboring views of the stadium from the inside and bird's eye view perspectives
     The path extends around the original site of the Torch Tower in the northeast. With the opening of the steel structure top, visitors can climb to the peak of the Bird's Nest and have a bird's eye view over the majestic capital Beijing.