Water Cube

The National Aquatics Center in Beijing, commonly called the “Water Cube,” was built for the 2008 Olympic Games as the swimming and diving venue. It opened in 2008 and is notable for its distinctive ETFE bubble-style exterior and large internal pool halls.

During the Beijing Olympics the centre accommodated tens of thousands of spectators for swimming, diving and synchronized swimming events and later hosted other aquatic competitions. After the Games the complex was adapted for mixed public and sporting uses, including a recreational water park and continued sporting events.

The building was designed as part of the 2008 Olympic Park adjacent to the National Stadium (the “Bird’s Nest”) and remains a prominent modern landmark in northern Beijing. Its location in the Olympic precinct places it within a planned park setting with easy access from city transport routes.

The centre sits in Beijing’s Olympic Green, north of the city centre and near other 2008 venues; it is accessible by Beijing public transport and sits within a landscaped park area designed for visitor circulation and events.

• Exterior: The façade is composed of a lightweight ETFE 'bubble' cladding system that creates the cube-like, translucent appearance that earned it the 'Water Cube' nickname.

What to See #

• Competition hall: The main competition hall contains Olympic-standard pools and spectator seating arranged for international swimming events and synchronized swimming during the 2008 Olympics.
• Water park conversion: A post-Games transformation added a large public water park and visitor attractions integrated into the original structure, making the complex a year-round leisure destination.