Beijing 2008 Olympics

As China embraces the challenge of hosting the XXIXth Olympiad, Beijing has the monumental task of preparing the city for the millions of sports enthusiast and Olympic spectators that are certain to flood their city.

Beijing has already taken enormous steps in making this a memorable event.  For example, the subway system is currently undergoing major expansions that will more than double its existing size. They are also including a direct link to Beijing Capital International Airport.

China is pulling out all of the stops to ensure that they will not only host a massive and fantastic event like The Olympic Games in grand style, but they also want to give the world a chance to see their extraordinarily resilient and beautiful country in all of its glory.

Accommodations

Beijing is a bustling and vibrant city that offers a rich culture and history.  They are already a top tourist destination, so it is advisable to make your reservations in advance.  Modern, luxury hotels can be found throughout Beijing, including Crowne Plaza Hotel, which is right in the heart of the shopping and tourist centre.  This 5-star hotel has all of the amenities and the ambience to ensure an unforgettable stay.  The Yue Xiu Hotel is only 1 km away from the city centre and is a family friendly hotel that is both affordable and highly rated by our customers.  The Tian Lun Songhe Hotel is also reasonably priced and convenient.  Just a 10 minute walk to the Forbidden City, this hotel offers many amenities including child care facilities and city tours.  For those who prefer the comfort of the big chain hotels, Best Western Beijing Hotel is located in the Chongwen District, just a 10 minute drive from the train station and a 40 minute drive from the airport.  For maximum comfort and luxury, the 5-star Grand Hyatt Beijing is located at the city centre and has many amenities, such as Limousine service, spa, swimming pool and guided tours.

China in the Olympics

Although China is regarded as one of the cradles of human civilization, its interest in international organized sports was minimal up until recently.  Twenty-seven years ago, China made its debut in the Winter Olympic Games in 1980. Since their entrance onto the Olympic stage, they have been looking forward to having the winter Games on home soil. 

In the six Olympic Games they've competed in, China has moved up the medal tally in world record time.  Their first gold medal came only 20 years ago. In Barcelona 1992, they climbed to the 5th spot on the medal tally, in Atlanta 1996 they moved into fourth place. In Sydney 2000 they took third place and in Athens 2004 they finished first.

In 2000, then-Mayor Liu Qi promised the International Olympic Committee that a Beijing Olympics would display the brilliance of Chinese civilization. City planners immediately began mapping out a plan that would allow this already busy city to host the Olympics.  They had chosen 25 historic neighbourhoods for preservation. 

When they won the right to host the 2008 Olympics in 2001, they set aside US $200 million (EUR155 million) to train their athletes, and that is just a fraction of the budget needed to complete this project.

Beijing is already in the midst of an US$75 billion makeover. The main stadium for the XXIXth Olympiad will cost US$374 million (EUR290 million) and will look like no other stadium the world has seen. The Olympic swim centre is the world's most expensive pool coming in at US$120 million (EUR93 million).

Although China still has a long way to go in terms of preparations for the millions of visitors that will undoubtedly descend upon Beijing during the Olympic games, officials feel confident that they will be not only ready for the influx of visitors, but they will show them a “Cultural Olympics” that will be forever remembered. 

2008 Olympic Events

The Games of the XXIX Olympiad – Beijing 2008 will take place from 8 August 2008 until 24 August 2008. The Games in Beijing will play host to the 28 summer sports currently on the Olympic programme. Approximately 10,500 athletes are expected to participate in the Games.

The Organising Committee has released the ticket prices for the Beijing Games; they are priced to ensure local spectators have the chance to see the Games first hand. The committee decided that 58% of all tickets will be priced at approximately RMB 100 (10 Euro) and they have also designated about 14% of tickets to be reserved for Chinese students.  Tickets can go as high as RMB 500 (EUR50).  Tickets will become available in China in the first half of 2007.

Chinese Athletes and Olympic Hopefuls

Han Xiaopeng won China's first ever Olympic skiing gold, also the country's first ever men's Winter Olympic gold, by claiming the men's freestyle aerial skiing in the Turin Olympic Games.  While Liu Xiang set the 110m hurdles world record of 12.88 seconds and swept most of the events he entered in 2006.  Both of these talented athletes have a lot to live up to, with 1.5 billion people cheering them on!

Other top Chinese athletes include; Wang Meng and Li Ye (short-track speed skating), Wang Manli, Wang Beixing, Run Hui, Wang Fei and Yu Fengtong (speed skating), Shen Xue/Zhao Hongbo and Li Chengjiang (figure skating), Han Xiaopeng, Li Nina (freestyle skiing), Liu Xianying and Zhang Chengye (biathlon).

Olympic History

From its beginnings, the Olympic Games weren’t about just the ‘playing of the games’; it was about reaching a higher level, transcending the limits of the human body and testing the limitations of the human will.  In doing this, the Olympians redefined athletic greatness and gave the masses something to aspire to.

According to legend, the ancient Olympic Games were founded by Heracles, a son of the Greek god, Zeus. Yet, the first Olympic Games for which we have written records for were held in 776 BC.  When the Olympics were first held, it was a local religious event. The ancient Olympic Games grew and continued to be played every four years for nearly 1200 years. In 393 CE, the Roman emperor Theodosius I, a Christian, abolished the Games because of their pagan influences.

In 884 BC, the King of Elis, Lephitus, decided to make the games bigger and add a festival.  At one point, the Olympics went from a one day festival to five days.  The first day oaths were taken, religious sacrifices made and all participants were registered. The next three days were for competition. On the last day, awards were given out to all winners.

The Olympics are now a multi-sport event that occurs every fourth year. It has events as varied as the biathlon, an event that includes two sports, to basketball and ice hockey; not to mention table tennis, in which Chinese has already claimed a gold medal.

Top Things to do in Beijing

Even though the Olympics may be your main reason for travelling to Beijing, do not miss the opportunity to see some of the great treasures and sights that this remarkable city has to offer!

Visit the Great Wall of China

Construction of the Great Wall started in the 7th century B.C. The vassal states under the Zhou Dynasty in the northern parts of the country each built their own walls for defence purposes.

Tour the Li River Scenery

Originating in the Mao'er Mountain in Xin'an county northeast of Guilin, Li River winds its way southeast for about 437 km, passing through Guilin, Yangshuo, Pingle, Zhaoping and finally meets Xi River in Wulin. It boasts the largest and most beautiful scenic area in China and attracts thousands of visitors yearly.
 

Located in Xian they are widely acclaimed as the eighth wonder of the world, here the underground battle formation comprising 6,000 life-size pottery warriors and horses as the dead emperor's guards can be viewed by the public. The pottery soldiers each weight over 300 kg, about 1.86 m tall, stand row after row in battle formation.
 

Martial Arts such as T'ai Chi are popular throughout China and even if you don't want to join in on the action the various forms of this sport always makes for entertaining viewing.

The work of Dazu Rock Carvings began in the first year of Yonghui in Tang dynasty (650A.D.), and continued until Ming and Qing dynasties. Now, it enjoys equal popularity with Yungang and Longmen Grottoes.

There are so many amazing shops and markets along the streets of Beijing that even the most cynical consumer will be impressed. Try you hand at bargaining and see what great souvenirs you can bring back to family and friends.

Before You Go

A Chinese visa is a permit issued to a foreigner by the Chinese visa authorities for: entry into, exit from or transit through China. For visiting as a tourist, you will need to obtain an L-Visa.   Visitors should contact their nearest Chinese embassy prior to travel.