Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, was the main stadium for the 2008 Olympic Games. It is a symbol of modern China and a masterpiece of architecture.
Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Beijing, China. It is primarily used for association football matches and athletic events. It was designed and built for the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, which were hosted by Beijing.
The stadium was officially opened on 28 June 2008, after five years of construction which started in December 2003. The design was a result of a collaboration between Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, project architect Stefan Marbach, artist Ai Weiwei, and CADG, led by chief architect Li Xinggang. The construction cost was over CNY¥3.5 billion, equivalent to US$423 million.
With its innovative design, the stadium has a seating capacity of 91,000, reduced to 80,000 after the Olympics. The design, which originated from the study of Chinese ceramics, implemented steel beams in order to hide supports for the retractable roof; giving the stadium the appearance of a 'Bird's nest'. The retractable roof was later removed from the design after inspiring the stadium's most recognizable aspect. Leading Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was the artistic consultant on the project.
The stadium has been used for events such as the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, and it will be used again in the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The stadium is a symbol of the country's growing economic power and has become a popular tourist attraction. It is estimated that over 7 million people visit the stadium each year. The stadium has also hosted the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in 2015 and is scheduled to host the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
