A cluster of steel giants dominates the skyline before us. It is the Beijing Olympic Tower. Have you ever wondered what it feels like to stand beneath a structure inspired by blades of grass yet likened to “huge nails?”
The Beijing Olympic Tower stands tall. It is a proud symbol in the Olympic Green. Construction began in 2011. The tower opened on August 8, 2015. It became a landmark three years after the 2008 Summer Olympics.
At 258 meters tall it is the second-tallest tower in Beijing. Only the Central Radio & TV Tower surpasses it. The Olympic Tower’s design is unique. Four smaller circular floors sit below a larger top floor. This arrangement echoes the Olympic rings.
The Beijing Olympic Tower serves only for observation. There are no offices or apartments here. A Chinese firm designed it. Their concept was inspired by blades of grass. Some critics humorously compared it to huge nails.
The tower sits on a 7.5-hectare landscaped area. It is located at the northeast corner of Kehui South Road and Tianchen Road. The area around the tower is mostly urban open space.
To the north sits the Olympic Forest Park. To the south are former Olympic venues. These include the Bird’s Nest and the National Convention Center.
The Olympic Tower consists of five separate towers. They rest on a large concrete foundation. Diagonal members connect the smaller towers to the main structure. The towers widen at the top. This creates space for observation platforms. Two elevators carry visitors up the central tower.
Cui Kai and Li Cundong designed the tower. They worked for the China Architecture Design and Research Group. Another architect, Zhao Wenbin, designed the landscaping.
Interestingly a Shenzhen architect once claimed the design was plagiarized. He alleged it copied his earlier tower design.
From the top of the Beijing Olympic Tower visitors can see all of Olympic Green. On a clear day you can even spot the Forbidden City. The Beijing Olympic Tower offers a unique perspective of this amazing city. It blends sports history with architectural innovation. Take a moment to appreciate the views and stories.