Water Cube Stadium

Address: National Aquatics Center (Water Cube), Olympic Green, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

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.

The Beijing National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) is in the Olympic Green north of central Beijing. Take Beijing Subway Line 8 to the Olympic Park / Olympic Green area (stations serving the park), then it is an easy 5-10 minute walk to the Water Cube from the Olympic Park stations. The Bird’s Nest stadium is adjacent and serves as a useful landmark.

By car or taxi the Olympic Green is on the northern section of the 4th Ring Road; expect heavy traffic during events and use the designated drop‑off/parking areas.

• Visit the Water Cube in the evening if you want to see the illuminated facade - the building's LED lighting and reflections across the Olympic Park lakes make for strong photos after dark.
• Combine your visit with a walk along the lakeside path between the Water Cube and the Bird's Nest for uninterrupted views and photo opportunities; the Olympic Park layout keeps these two sites very close.
• Buy tickets in advance for specific attractions inside (for example the water park or any special exhibitions) and check event schedules-some parts of the complex operate on different opening hours from the exterior public spaces.