Ascend Beijing’s Olympic Tower: Your Ultimate Viewpoint Guide
Part 1: Essential Traveler Information – Your Practical Ascent
Perched majestically in Beijing’s Olympic Park, the Beijing Olympic Tower (北京奧林匹克塔) stands as a modern beacon, inviting travelers to experience the city from a breathtaking new perspective. Officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 2016, this landmark was once known as the “Olympic Park Observation Tower” or “Beijing Olympic Tower” during its construction. You’ll find it strategically located at No. 15 Beichen East Road, nestled near the river by Kehui South Road, marking the northern end of Beijing’s historic central axis. It officially opened its doors to the public on August 8, 2015.
This impressive structure reaches an eaves height of 246.8 meters, with its highest point, adorned by the iconic Olympic Five Rings, soaring to a remarkable 264.8 meters. This makes it China’s sixth tallest tower and proudly holds the title of the world’s highest permanent Olympic Rings display. The tower’s unique design features five independent towers, ranging from 186 to 246.8 meters in height, creating its distinctive silhouette.
Planning your visit is straightforward. The tower generally welcomes guests from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with the last entry at 9:30 PM. Keep in mind that sometimes there are distinct day (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) and night (5:00 PM – 10:00 PM) sessions. It’s always a good idea to check for potential closures due to strong winds or other adverse weather conditions.
Standard adult tickets are typically 200 RMB, though you might often find promotional prices, sometimes as low as 88 RMB or 99 RMB. If you’re looking for a special experience, the tower also offers dining tickets for its aerial restaurant, with prices varying for afternoon tea (around 199 RMB) and lunch or dinner (around 260 RMB). A standard ticket usually grants you access to the observation deck of Tower 1, along with the first and second-floor lobbies. Good news for some: children under 1.3 meters, active military personnel, and disabled individuals can often enter for free with valid identification, though military and disabled visitors are typically limited to one free visit per year. Remember, tickets are generally valid only for the day of purchase, and if you leave and wish to re-enter, you’ll need a new ticket.
Getting to the Beijing Olympic Tower is easy thanks to Beijing’s excellent subway system. The most convenient way is to take Metro Line 8 to “Forest Park South Gate Station” (森林公園南門站) and use Exit C (Southeast Exit), which is just about a 200-meter walk to the tower. You can also reach the area via Metro Line 15 or Line 8 to “Olympic Park Station” (奧林匹克公園站). If you’re coming from other parts of the city, Metro Line 10 connects, allowing you to transfer to Line 8 at “Beitucheng Station” (北土城站). The Olympic Park’s central area doesn’t have fixed parking for private cars, so public transport is definitely the way to go.
Once you’re up there, prepare for an unforgettable visual feast. The observation decks offer unparalleled 360-degree panoramic views of the entire Olympic Park, including the iconic Bird’s Nest (National Stadium) and the shimmering Water Cube (National Aquatics Center). You’ll find both indoor and outdoor observation decks, perfect for snapping photos no matter the weather. Don’t miss the chance to step onto the top terrace for an immersive view and a fantastic photo opportunity with the massive Olympic Rings. For a truly magical experience, visit in the evening. The tower’s vantage point offers stunning views of Beijing’s vibrant city lights and neon-lit skyline, transforming the urban landscape into a dazzling spectacle.
Part 2: The Local Guide’s Whisper – Fun Facts & Hidden Gems
Beyond the impressive height and panoramic views, the Beijing Olympic Tower holds a few secrets and stories that make it even more intriguing. Think of it as a local’s whispered insights, adding flavor to your visit!
The “Tree of Life” vs. The “Big Nail”: A Design Paradox
Architects often have grand visions, and the Beijing Olympic Tower is no exception. Its official design concept is beautifully named the “Tree of Life” (生命之樹). Imagine life bursting through the earth, growing naturally, with the tower’s top fanning out like a tree canopy, or perhaps a vibrant bouquet, a celebratory fireworks display, or even a gushing spring. The five distinct towers, varying in height, are meant to symbolize the dynamic, upward-striving spirit of the Olympic Rings, cleverly incorporating traditional Chinese circular elements and organic plant forms.
But here’s a fun local twist: despite this poetic vision, Beijingers quickly gave the tower a much more down-to-earth nickname during its construction: the “Big Nail” (大釘子). This humorous moniker, coined by netizens, perfectly captures the candid public perception of its appearance. It’s a classic example of how a city’s residents adopt and rename landmarks based on their immediate visual impact, making the tower feel more relatable and part of Beijing’s everyday charm. Interestingly, there were even some discussions about plagiarism during its design phase, adding another layer to its unique story.
A Tale of Two Towers: Olympic Tower vs. Linglong Tower
As you explore the Olympic Park, you might spot another prominent structure and wonder if it’s the same tower. This is the “Linglong Tower” (玲瓏塔). Officially known as the “Olympic Multi-functional Broadcast Tower,” it stands at about 150 meters tall with a distinctive triangular shape. This tower played a crucial role during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, serving as the main TV broadcast and relay tower. What’s fascinating is that it was initially planned as a temporary structure for the Games but was later deemed permanent and integrated into the park’s landscape.
To add a touch more historical intrigue, Beijing actually has an ancient “Linglong Tower” too! This is the Cishou Temple Pagoda (慈壽寺塔), a beautiful Ming Dynasty solid brick structure located in a completely different part of the city, Haidian District. The existence of these multiple “Linglong Towers” highlights how names can echo across different eras and purposes in Beijing’s rich urban tapestry. It’s a neat insider fact that helps you appreciate the city’s layered history and its Olympic legacy.
Feng Shui of the Olympic Park: An Unofficial Narrative
Beyond their architectural grandeur, the iconic structures within the Olympic Park, especially the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, are often subjects of fascinating unofficial discussions about their feng shui. This reveals a deep-seated cultural practice in China, where even modern, Western-designed buildings are viewed through traditional cosmological lenses.
According to popular interpretations, the Bird’s Nest, with its robust steel structure, is seen as embodying masculine, Yang energy, representing heaven and the element of fire. Conversely, the Water Cube, with its transparent, bubble-like membrane, is interpreted as possessing feminine, Yin energy, symbolizing earth and the element of water. These two iconic buildings, standing side-by-side, are believed to complement each other in a harmonious yin-yang balance, reflecting the traditional Chinese philosophical concept of “heaven round, earth square” (天圓地方) and the ideal of “harmony between heaven and earth”. Locals even discuss the “Dragon Lake” (龍湖) within the park, speculating on how these grand structures might influence Beijing’s “dragon pulse” or its overall “feng shui eye”. These unofficial narratives offer a unique cultural lens through which to view the Olympic Park, transforming it from just a collection of buildings into a space imbued with traditional philosophical meaning.
Beijing’s Best Sunset and Night Views: A Photographer’s Dream
While we mentioned the views earlier, let’s dive into why the Beijing Olympic Tower’s top observation platform is widely celebrated as one of Beijing’s “most beautiful sunset” spots. It’s a rare gem in Beijing that combines a spectacular sunset vista with a truly comprehensive panoramic city view.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the tower becomes the perfect place to experience the magical “blue hour”—that enchanting period 20 to 90 minutes after sunset when the sky is bathed in deep ink blue, and the city lights begin to twinkle below. This transition creates a truly dazzling masterpiece as the urban landscape illuminates with vibrant lights and neon displays. The tower itself adds to this spectacle, adorned with its own vibrant LED displays at night. For photographers and romantics alike, planning your visit for the late afternoon or evening is highly recommended to capture these unforgettable moments.
Palace Museum’s High-Altitude Outpost: Culture in the Clouds
Here’s a delightful surprise: the Beijing Olympic Tower isn’t just about modern architecture and views. It also houses a unique outpost of the Palace Museum within its base hall. This clever integration transforms the tower into a vibrant cultural hub. You can explore the Palace Museum Digital Cinema (故宮數字影廳), an immersive space where digital films about the Forbidden City are screened, offering a fascinating glimpse into imperial history. Imagine watching “The Forbidden City: Palace of the Emperor” or “Corner Tower” high above Beijing! Adjacent to the cinema, a dedicated exhibition area showcases exquisite cultural relics, including a collection of royal gold and silver artifacts. It’s a brilliant way to blend modern marvels with deep historical immersion, making your visit a truly comprehensive cultural experience.
Future Visions: Cloud Dialogue and Future Light
The Beijing Olympic Tower is a dynamic landmark with exciting plans for the future. By the end of 2025, each of its five independent towers will be specialized with distinct functions. For instance, Tower 4 is being transformed into “Cloud Dialogue” (雲端對話), envisioned as Beijing’s first high-altitude venue for government, business, and cultural exchange. Meanwhile, Tower 5, named “Future Light” (未來之光), aims to become Beijing’s inaugural high-altitude immersive light and shadow experience space, promising a cutting-edge sensory journey for visitors. Beyond the towers, the surrounding external environment is also slated for reconfiguration and enhancement, with new plazas, promenades, gardens, and parks planned. These future developments mean the Olympic Tower will continue to offer new and exciting experiences, making it a destination worth revisiting.
Accolades and Achievements: A Mark of Excellence
Finally, it’s worth noting that the Beijing Olympic Tower has received significant recognition for its architectural and engineering prowess. It was honored with the prestigious 2016 Luban Award (魯班獎) in 2017, one of the highest accolades for construction projects in China. Furthermore, in 2019, it received the 16th China Civil Engineering Zhan Tianyou Award (詹天佑獎), which recognizes outstanding achievements in civil engineering. These highly respected national awards underscore the tower’s status not just as a popular tourist attraction, but as a masterpiece of modern Chinese engineering and architecture, a true symbol of national pride.