Do you dream of becoming the next Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt or Simone Biles? Whether you are an amateur athlete or someone who prefers to sit in a corner and quietly read about sports, you may find the Beijing National Stadium museum particularly fascinating! When my parents and I visit a famous historical sight, it’s typically something ancient in Beijing. But this time we had a little change. This time, we visited the very modern Beijing National Olympic Stadium Museum.

The Beijing National Stadium 北京国家体育场 started its construction in 2003, when it was declared that Beijing would be hosting the 2008 Olympic Games. This building was completed within five years, and they really put the pedal to the gold medal. The structure of the Beijing National Stadium represents the sticks and twigs put together to form a nest, giving it the nickname “the Bird’s Nest 鸟巢.” The Bird’s Nest is not only famous for hosting the 2008 and 2022 Olympics, but it’s also celebrated for its glorious structure. The stadium’s seating capacity can hold up to 91,000 attendees!

You can have a chance to become a dignitary or VIP guest of the Bird’s Nest by taking the escalator from the ground floor to the second floor! It is called the Golden escalator, and while the escalator was not golden itself, the walls were constructed with shiny golden tiles. And it gave me absolute satisfaction to run my hands along these beautiful golden walls.

The most unique feature of this experience was exploring the rooftop of the stadium.

I have been to another Olympic stadium before, in Athens, Greece, where the Olympics originated. I even ran the marble track with my dad, but I was not allowed to walk on the roof. In fact, the stadium in Greece did not even have a roof! But at the Beijing National Stadium, you can take the elevator from the sixth floor and walk up a staircase that will lead you to the stadium roof! I am positive that not many other buildings allow visitors to walk on the rooftop. Though it was terrifying to be so high up, it was still quite remarkable to look over the Olympic Park along with the well-known Water Cube and Olympic Towers.

There are also many Olympic props from the 2008 to 2022 Games in the stadium.  We saw a large percussion drum that was used in the 2008 Opening Ceremony. Very impressive!!! We also saw one of the very first fans that was used in the fan dance Olympic opening of 2008! If you have dreams of becoming a famous Olympic track star, you may begin your career by trying out the simulated race tracks. It was fantastic seeing many artifacts of Olympic history.

Since the Beijing National Stadium is a museum, you may learn about the history of the stadium by going on a Virtual Reality tour.  It is by the entrance of the stadium. It will take you on a journey through the Bird’s Nest and tell you about the history of the stadium.

Although the Bird’s Nest historic events – the 2008 and 2022 Games – were a while ago, the stadium is still in operation. In fact, when we were visiting, we noticed that it was being prepared for another event. Therefore, the stadium facilities were so clean and organized, with many water dispensers throughout the stadium that served paper cups where you could get a drink. There were also some vending machines. The building did have a lot of restaurants, like KFC and McDonald’s, and there were plenty of restaurants around the Olympic Park.

Even if you are not much of a sports fanatic, the Beijing National Stadium is still a phenomenon to visit. Stay tuned, and stay reading!!!

Find it: 
Beijing National Stadium, Bird’s Nest 北京国家体育场·鸟巢
1 Guojiatiyuchang Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区国家体育场路1号
Price: approximately RMB 263 for two adults and one kid

Images: Clark Yap

It’s almost Chinese New Year, and if you’re like me, you’re wracking your brain trying to think of things with which to entertain your family (and yourself) that are cool, fun, and low-effort. Well, why not join in our Chinese New Year Stone Lion Scavenger Hunt where you (and your family) take selfies with all the stone lions you find in Beijing? Trust, me, if you keep an eye out you’ll suddenly discover that stone lions are everywhere!

The scavenger hunt is a chance for some friendly competition amongst family members and your local Beijing expat community, and it’s a great reason to get out of the house in order to discover hidden treasures in the city.

Here’s how to play:

1. Scan the QR code to join the WeChat Group.

2. Take a selfie whenever you see a cool stone lion between now and Feb 7 and send it to the group.
3. We’ll be choosing our top 10 picks after the CNY holiday (Feb 8) and asking our readers to vote on their favorite.

Here’s what you’ll get if you win：

The winner will receive a private Beihai Scavenger Hunt Day Out with Bespoke Travel Company, led by founder Sarah Keelyside, for up to 15 of their friends. The Beihai Park Scavenger Hunt is a four-hour-long experience that starts around 9am and goes on until 1pm. It’s a fantastic day out for people of all ages where you’ll learn 2,000 years of history at Beihai Park, all while racing against the clock to complete the scavenger hunt and enjoying delicious refreshments.

Valued at RMB 3,500, the Beihai Scavenger Hunt is one of many unique and fun ideas created by Bespoke Travel Company.

Bespoke Travel Company isn’t your run of the mill tour guide company. Every single trip they organize is totally customizable. As the company says, “No matter how long you’re visiting for, we’ll sort your transfers, car hire, tours and make expert restaurant recommendations for every meal so your trip is everything you need it to be…”

“Opens up the city in just the way you want to see it.” –Conde Nast Traveller

People have been raving about Bespoke Travel Company and Sarah Keelyside for years. This is your chance to win a Bespoke expereince with your friends for free!

Images: Bespoke Travel Company, Pexels, Jingkids

Having recently written an article on the pros and cons of city versus suburb living, it was timely that I finally did something that’s taken me 3 ½ years to do – visit The Forbidden City.  Yep, there…I said it.  I’ve lived here this long and had yet gone to one of the most historical sites in one of the most historical countries ever.  Sad, isn’t it?  I can offer my excuses of having young children that would hate the walking and “boring” displays (and now, having gone there, I still say they’d make the trip unbearable).  Or waiting for the perfect weather.  Or just getting too busy with daily life.  These are valid reasons, yes; and they are also convenient excuses.  I simply hadn’t taken the time to get there.  And that is one of the “cons” of living in the ‘burbs – sometimes you just don’t take in what Beijing has to offer.

I’m not actually a history buff at all, but it’s impossible not to embrace the incredible amount of history and culture while living in China – Beijing, no less.  If I were to ever leave here and not hit some of the no-brainer places to go, I’d regret it forever.  I have visited many, either with my family or with friends, but I now have a concrete bucket list of things I must see before leaving someday.  That day is not yet known, but I also fully understand and appreciate that once you get the word you’re moving on, time flies by so quickly that those trips often go undone.

Not everyone in the suburbs neglects getting out and about.  I have friends that are so well traveled in this city and country it’s impressive; they could write a travel book or at the very least a primer for people like me.  But I’ve finally come to the realization that there’s too much here not to take in.  I can no longer ignore what’s right in front of me – nor do I want to – and I plan to make every effort to enjoy it.

I don’t regret our reasons for living in the suburbs, and I could make a fine argument for why doing so fits some people better than others.  But I also readily admit that being further away from the city and sites means it sometimes takes a little nudge to take advantage of the gems in our fantastic host country.

I finally, finally did just that.