The National Aquatics Center was the venue for swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water-polo final during the Olympic Games. It has a capacity is 17,000 seats, of which 6,000 are permanent and 11,000 are temporary for Games. After the Games, it has become the venue for various activities such as aquatic sports, swimming, fitness and recreation.

The Water Cube is an eco-friendly structure combined with humanist and environmental protection conception. It aims to creating the most favorable circumstances and competitive atmosphere. It is believed to the fastest swimming pool in the world.

Comprising a steel space frame, it is the largest ETFE clad structure in the world with over 100,000 square meters (24.7 acres) of ETFE pillows that are only 0.2 mm (1/125 of an inch) in total thickness. The ETFE cladding allows more light and heat penetration than traditional glass, resulting in a 30% decrease in energy costs.

The membrane structure has been made full use of in the construction of the Water Cube. It is the bran-new architectural style in 21st century. Its advantages are obvious. Firstly, it has strong heat insulation. Secondly, it is easy to be restored. In case it is poked by the shot or something sharp, the monitoring computer will display automatically. If there is a hole in it, only the sticker is enough to put it together. Thirdly, this kind of material is pretty light and free from dust, the material itself has the function of drainage, pollution discharge and the desiccant.

 The notion of the structural design originates from the natural formation of soap bubbles which give a random and organic appearance. To achieve this, research was undertaken by Weaire and Phelan (professors of physics) into how soap bubbles might be arranged into an infinite array. The seemingly simple cube is the mingled product of Chinese tradition and modern technology. As far as Chinese are concerned, nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards. The holistic harmony and unity can be achieved as long as things are done in the good order. Influenced by the traditional idea that the earth is square and the heaven is round, the idea of making it cuboid is conceived. The Water Cube and the Bird's Nest reinforce each other in historic and cultural features of the city of Beijing. Such a cube best embodies the multi functions of the National Aquatics Center.

The National Aquatics Centre, also known as 'The Water Cube', is one of the most dramatic and exciting venues to host sporting events for the Beijing Olympics in 2008. This landmark building of the Beijing Olympic is located inside the Beijing Olympic Green axially related to the National Stadium on the north part of Beijing Central Axis.

To bring the scheme to life, the individual bubbles were integrated into a plastic film and tailored like a sewing pattern. An entire section was pieced together and then put into place within the structure. There are interior and exterior films. The plastic film was then inflated and continuously pumped.

Entrance Fee: CNY 50 (for visiting National Stadium)
A. Skiing: CNY 80 (on weekdays); CNY 140 (on weekends and public holidays)
B. Through Ticket for National Stadium and Skiing: CNY 120 (on weekdays);
CNY 180 (on weekends and public holidays)

Transportation:
Take Bus No. 380, 405, 408, 415 or 518 and get off at Huizhongli Stop;
Take Bus No. 108, 124, 328, 358 (Interzone), 379, 380, 387, 406, 408, 407, 426, 430, 479, 653, 694, 758, 803, 849, 850, 858, 984, 985, Te 2 or Express 3 and get off at Anwai Street (An Wai Da Jie) Stop;
Take Bus No. 207 or 417 and get off at Beichen East Road (Bei Chen Dong Lu) Stop;
Take Bus No. 510 or 839 and get off at North of Beichen Western Bridge (Bei Chen Xi Qiao Bei) Stop;
Take Bus No. 108, 124, 328, 358, 358 (Interzone), 379, 380, 387, 406, 408, 419, 426, 430, 479, 653, 694, 758, 803, 849, 858, 984, 985 or Te 2 and get off at Anhui Bridge North (An Hui Qiao Bei) Stop;
Take Bus No. 113, 386, 407, 656, 660, 689, 753, 939, 944 (Branch), 983 (Branch) or Yuntong 113 and get off at Beichen Bridge West (Bei Chen Qiao Xi) or the Asian Games Village Stop;
Take Subway Line 8 and get off at Olympic Sports Center Station.

Beijing National Stadium - Bird's Nest hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, athletic events, and football final of the 2008 Summer Olympics, from 8 August to 24 August 2008. The Opening and Closing ceremonies and athletic events of the 2008 Summer Paralympics from 6 September to 17 September 2008 were also held here smoothly. In the future the stadium will continue to host sporting events, and it will become a large-scale sports and entertainment facility for the residents of Beijing - an architectural landmark and Olympic legacy.

The eastern and western stands of Beijing National Stadium are higher than northern and southern stands, in order to provide better view for spectators. Pipes placed under the playing surface gather heat in the winter to warm the stadium and coldness in the summer to cool the stadium. While the rain is to be collected for rainwater recuperation, the sunlight is to filter through the translucent roof, allowing the lawn to get essential ultraviolet radiation. On the facade, the inflated cushions are mounted on the inside of the structure where necessary, e.g. to provide wind protection. All the facilities that can bring much convenience have been taken into the design of such a huge project. It is a self-contained unit including the restaurants, shops, restrooms, suites etc. 

The stadium's stand has a concrete framework. The upper part of the stand and the stadium's steel structure are separated from each other, but both are based on a joint footing. The roof of the National Stadium is covered by a double-layer membrane structure, with a transparent ETFE membrane fixed on the upper part of the roofing structure and a translucent PTFE membrane fixed on its lower part.

In the original design, the stadium called for a capacity of 100,000 people; however 9,000 were removed during a simplification of the design. The new total of 91,000 was shaved further when 11,000 temporary seats were removed after the 2008 Olympics, bringing the stadium's capacity to 80,000.

The stadium is 330 meters (361 yards) long by 220 meters (241 yards) wide, and is 69.2 meters (227 feet) tall. The framework of the National Stadium has been designed to stand for 100 years. Its fire resistance capability is first-rate, and it is able to withstand an eight-magnitude earthquake. The water-resistance capability of its underground project is also first-class.

The large steel skeleton of the project has the weight of 42,000 tons, with the roof and the hanging parts around it accounting for 11,200 tons. To bear such a heavy load, 78 supporting structures were temporarily installed and distributed in different points under stress, i.e. 24 supporting structures along the outer circle, 24 in the middle circle and 30 in the inner circle.

Dubbed as the Bird's Nest, China National Stadium is located at the southern part of the Olympic Park in Beijing with an area of 21 hectares. It is the main stadium of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The notion of the design originated from the study of Chinese ceramics, which implemented steel beams in order to hide supports for the retractable roof; giving the stadium the appearance of a 'Bird's nest'. It is arguably the most impressive structure for the Beijing Olympics.

Through accurate calculation, careful argumentation, years of hard work, the Bird's Nest was successfully set up and achieved its commitment to everyone's expectation.