Olympic Village Day Trips from Beijing

Beijing is one of China's most traditional cities, with its popular hutongs, temples and imperial palaces, but it also has a modern area, which began to be built to host the 2008 Olympic Games and revolves around the Olympic Village, a complex containing some of the city's most prominent sites.

Visiting the observatory of the Olympic Tower, walking through the Olympic Park to see the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, taking a night tour to contemplate the city lights or a tour that combines the old and the new part of the Chinese capital to discover its contrasts, are some of the plans you can't miss.

After enjoying the tour of Beijing with the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, you cannot miss the Olympic Village, one of the main sites of the city built to house the athletes who participated in the 2008 Olympic Games. You will appreciate its eclectic architecture that combines traditional Chinese elements with modern and futuristic designs.

Among the highlights of the Olympic Village are the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest; the National Aquatic Center, known as the Water Cube, and the Olympic Tower, which is 258 meters high and will allow you to see some of the most complete panoramic views of the city, so it is often included in the list of the best tours of Beijing.

The observatory is open throughout the day, so if you visit the observation deck in the evening you can catch the sunset, one of the most beautiful postcards of the city, especially if you plan to visit Beijing in July. Just be sure to make the hike on a clear day, as the summer is very humid.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 38 € per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 to 3 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to contemplate some of the best views of the city from the observatory of the tower.
• Disadvantages of these tours: if you visit the city in winter, autumn or during the rainy days of summer, you will probably not be able to get ample views.

Once you have taken the most popular tour, the Beijing tour with the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, you must visit the inside of the National Stadium, nicknamed Bird's Nest, and the Water Cube, the aquatic center that was used during the 2008 Olympic Games for the swimming events and now houses one of the largest public swimming pools.

During the tour, you will experience the thrill of walking through one of the most iconic sites of the modern Olympics. You will also see state-of-the-art sports facilities and beautiful scenery, as the park is built on one of the highest areas of the city.

In addition to visiting the interior of the Bird's Nest, you can marvel at the Water Cube, so named for its glass design. An excellent opportunity to appreciate the modern Chinese architecture and enjoy the panoramic view, which anyway is not as interesting as the one offered by the Olympic Tower. You can reach the Olympic Village by subway or on Beijing's tourist buses.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 75 € per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You will be able to get to know in depth the main sites of the Olympic Village.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they do not include a visit to the Olympic Tower, which is one of the main attractions of the Olympic Park.

If instead of booking the Beijing tour with the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, you plan to do an evening tour in Beijing that also includes the Olympic Village, choose a combined option. You will start at Tiananmen Square where you can discover the bright lights that highlight its buildings and monuments creating a magical atmosphere.

You will also tour the Forbidden City, the largest imperial palace in the world. The complex of ancient buildings is located in the center of Beijing and is a must-see at night. The nighttime illumination transforms this attraction into a spectacle in itself, making it one of the best places to take pictures at night.

Finally, the tour will take you to the Olympic Park, which features some of the most iconic buildings, such as the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube. At night, the lighting on these buildings marks the epicenter of the modern part of the Chinese capital in contrast to the old part, which is known for housing Beijing's finest temples.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 61 € per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will see the city at night, which is characterized by its striking lights and illuminated buildings.
• Disadvantages of these tours: the walk through the Olympic Park, because of the time, does not coincide with the opening hours of the observatory tower, which marks one of the highest points of the city.

An excursion to the old part of the city with a visit to the National Stadium is an excellent choice to discover the contrasts of Beijing. In the center you will see the Forbidden City, the ancient Chinese imperial palace that served as the residence of the emperors for more than 500 years. Then you will head to the Temple of Heaven, a place of worship where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasty offered sacrifices. You can also visit the picturesque Tiananmen Square.

In the old part, you can also taste typical Chinese cuisine and visit bars and restaurants that are often included in the best gastronomic tours of Beijing such as the Beijing food tour by tuk tuk.

Then, you will visit the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest for its distinctive architectural design. It is considered one of China's modern architectural wonders, with a capacity for 80,000 spectators and stages that have been used for numerous music concerts and art festivals. These tours have an approximate duration of 8 to 9 hours.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 65 € per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 to 9 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know the contrasts of Beijing, especially in the architectural destinations.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they are somewhat long tours, so they may not be compatible with a short trip.

Another possibility is to combine a visit to the National Stadium and the Water Cube with a tour of the hutongs, which are narrow traditional streets where you can find shopping stalls and family homes. These sites are not accessible by car, so it is ideal to explore them on foot or on a bicycle tour or with a gastronomic tour of Beijing by tuk tuk.

At the Olympic Village, which will be the first stop on your sightseeing tour, you will see the iconic buildings that were built for the Olympic Games, such as the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, but also the rooms where the athletes slept and you can learn about the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics, which went down in history for their level of detail and staging.

After leaving the village, you will walk through the popular hutongs, where you will see traditional houses with inner courtyards and Ming Dynasty architecture dating back more than 500 years. You will learn about the daily life of the local inhabitants. In addition, you can visit small souvenir stores and street markets and buy souvenirs at very convenient prices, cheaper than in the Silk Market or other famous shopping places.

Interesting details

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 130 € per person.
• Duration: approximately 7 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You will be able to see the modern architecture of Beijing as well as the older sites, giving you a perspective of the country's progress.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they are experiences that can be expensive.

If you want to visit the Olympic Village during an excursion, the best alternative is to book the tour in advance online. This way, you can freeze the price, secure your place and thereafter organize the itinerary of your tour of the Chinese capital. In addition, you will save money and also time, as you will not be delayed at the ticket office on the day of your visit.

You can also book a tour once you are in the city, but if you plan to visit Beijing during the summer or during the high season months you may experience last minute increases or be left out of tours on your chosen date, which could be cumbersome if you are planning a short stay in the city.

The answer will depend on the chosen tour, but in general you will see the main buildings and monuments of the Olympic Village, including the famous National Stadium, nicknamed Bird's Nest for its architecture, and the Water Cube, which will catch your attention for its exterior design.

In addition, you will also have the opportunity to combine your tour of the village with other more traditional attractions of the Chinese capital, such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace and the traditional hutongs. Some excursions even include a tour of the Great Wall of China, although these are usually multi-day experiences.

If you are planning a trip to the Beijing Olympic Village, you can follow some tips that will make your visit easier and allow you to get the most out of one of the most interesting sites in the city:

• Plan your visit in advance: make sure you know the opening and closing time of the Olympic Village and the places you want to visit inside the complex, regardless of whether you opt for a guided tour. Also, before booking, check the closing days, as some stadiums may be closed on specific days.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes: the Olympic Village is a very large place with many places to visit, so be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for walking. Also, in summer, the weather in Beijing can be very hot, so it is advisable to wear light clothing.
• Bring cash: be sure to bring enough cash to buy your tickets, food and souvenirs. Some places inside the village may not accept credit or debit cards, so it is advisable to bring cash.
• Learn about the history of the Olympic Village: if you want to get the most out of your experience, research the history and details of the places you will visit within the complex before your visit. This will allow you to better understand the importance and significance of the site in the Chinese capital.

The Olympic Village is an emblematic place that represents an important milestone in the history of sport and China and an interesting excursion, even if you know Beijing in one day. The 2008 Olympic Games were the country's opportunity to show the world its capacity to organize major events and a demonstration of its progress and development.

In addition, the architecture of the Village is very interesting. The buildings and stadiums, designed by some of the world's leading architects, present a perfect combination of style and functionality. When visiting the Olympic Village, you can admire the majesty of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube.

Note that the Olympic Village also serves a cultural and educational function and features exhibits and displays, which are considered among the best museums in Beijing, showcasing the history of the Olympics and the values they represent.

Taking a guided tour to the Olympic Village is one of the best activities you can see and do in Beijing. It has several advantages compared to visiting it on your own. First of all, a tour guide can provide you with detailed information about China's history and its relation to the Olympics, plus you will have access to some facts that you might not find on your own.

A guided tour, too, can save you time and effort. The guides know the best times and places to visit and can help you avoid the crowds and long lines. Also, if you do not speak Chinese, a tour guide can help you communicate with the locals and better understand Chinese culture and customs.

Another advantage of a guided tour is comfort and safety. The village is located on the outskirts of the city and with these tours you don't have to worry about transfers, but can relax and enjoy the experience.