One of the things I didn't like about being alone as I wandered around the Olympic Park was the many touts who approached me asking if I wanted my photo taken. For a fee of course. Fortunately a simple "bu2 yao4 xie4 xie4" (or no thank you) usually sufficed.
Between the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube was an open park area, decorated with 2 rows of Christmas trees. There were a surprising number of people there, considering that nothing much was opened and it was sub-zero and totally freezing.
Between the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube was an open park area, decorated with 2 rows of Christmas trees. There were a surprising number of people there, considering that nothing much was opened and it was sub-zero and totally freezing.
I liked the Water Cube enough to brave staying out a bit longer, and walked up close to take a few photos of it.
Apparently to be allowed to swim there, you need to pass a proficiency test first. It didn't look open to me, although there was a little gift shop in a separate building next to it where I sought refuge for a few minutes to thaw my frozen hands...
In all, I spent a full hour walking around to take photos of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. Even though I was warmly wrapped up, the temperature and wind chill were so bad that my eyeballs were hurting!!! Next time I come back here will be in summer...
I didn't manage to go in because closing time was 630pm. Believe it has been converted into an ice skating rink of sorts. If you take a peek from the gate, you can see the various country flags still hanging around the inside.
I love the complex metal patterns that encompass the stadium.
The shape of the Bird's Nest changes as you walk around it, as you can see from these series of photos I took as I walked around the huge building.
