What do sports event planners do for fun on vacation? We tour other facilities of course!
On my free day in Beijing prior to meeting my travel group, I actually braved the subway system (without getting lost I might add) to ride 12 stations north to Olympic Park. The undeniable first sight is the cage like behemoth of a structure monopolizing the skyline of numerous other sporting venues. This “Bird’s Nest” has a unique style that combines interlocking steel & an elliptical base like a tree & its roots….. the cradle of life & a nest of reproduction.
This venue hosted the 2022 Olympics opening & closing ceremonies, track & field & football games with a staggering capacity of 91,000 guests. Made with 42,000 tons of steel, it is comprised of 3 concrete layer bowls & designed to last 100 yrs.
Olympic Themes:
2008 – One world. One dream.
2022 – Together for a shared future.
I opted to do the self guided tour & thought it was well worth the 100 yen (~$14). They had numerous displays highlighting the Games medals, costumes, credentials & shops with memorabilia. If only I had any room in my 1 book bag or understood the machines that put your picture on an Olympic medal, then I would have spent some money on these unique gifts.
We got to see the golden entryway where dignitaries were brought through quietly, watch from the grandstand the recent snow being plowed off the field, take part in numerous selfie photo opportunities & my favorite climbing to the catwalk to scale the roof exterior. It was a gorgeous day & the views of the city were exquisite.
Before I realized it, I had spent 3 hours exploring the area & needed to make the ~40min homeward journey via public transport (and maybe a side excursion to see the local Bell & Drum Towers that were along my route). Days definitely fly by when you are on sightseeing expeditions!
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