How many Olympic rings do you think make up Beijing Olympic Tower? This tower stands tall as a symbol of modern Beijing. It is located on Kehui South Road in the Olympic Green. It resides in the Chaoyang District.
The Beijing Olympic Tower’s construction started in 2011. It concluded in 2014. It officially opened on August 8, 2015. The tower is used solely for observation. There are no offices or apartments inside. The China Architecture Design & Research Group designed it.
Standing at 258 meters tall, the Beijing Olympic Tower is the second tallest tower in Beijing. Only the Central Radio & TV Tower is taller. The tower’s unique design features four smaller circular floors. These floors are at different heights. A larger top floor sits above them. This design intends to mirror the Olympic rings. Some say the overall design resembles blades of grass. Others believe they look like huge nails.
The Beijing Olympic Tower sits on 7.5 hectares of landscaped land. This is at the northeast corner of Kehui South Road and Tianchen Road. The area around the tower is mainly urban open space. You will see planted parkland and open plazas. To the east, there is an artificial waterbody. It marks the boundary of the Olympic Green neighborhood. To the north is the South Gate of Forest Park Station. It is on Line 8 of the Beijing Subway.
The five separate towers rest on a large concrete foundation. It has 30,000 square meters of exposed surface. The largest tower stands at 258 meters. The lesser towers reach different heights. The lowest reaches 186 meters. Large diagonal beams connect the smaller towers to the main structure. All towers broaden at their tops. This allows for observation platforms.
In the mid-2000s, a design competition was held. Cui Kai and Li Cundong won. They are from the Chinese Architecture Design and Research Group. Their design was inspired by blades of grass and the Olympic rings.
During construction, a Shenzhen architect claimed plagiarism. He said the design copied his earlier work. However, the CARDEG architects denied any relation.
Completed in 2014, the Beijing Olympic Tower offers panoramic views. Visitors can see the Olympic Green area. They can also spot the Forbidden City. Other central Beijing sights are visible to the south.
The Beijing Olympic Tower stands as a testament to Beijing’s modern spirit. It also embodies the enduring legacy of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Its unique design and impressive height make it a landmark. It is a must-see for anyone visiting Beijing.