NATIONAL AQUATICS CENTER (WATER CUBE / ICE CUBE) · SHUILIFANG
☾ ✦
VERIFIED2026.09.11The Olympic Park & the Northern Axis · 39.992°N 116.384°E
TicketedClosure day
The blue bubble box across the axis from the Bird's Nest — 100,000 m² wrapped in ETFE foil cushions, the pool where 25 world records fell in 2008 and, converted to four curling sheets, the 'Ice Cube' of the 2022 Winter Games, the first venue to switch between water and ice. Inside are three things on three tickets: a ¥30 walk-through of the competition hall, a public swimming session in the training pool, and a water park in the former warm-up hall. The walk-through is ¥30 (¥15 concessions), 10:30-21:00 per the venue's September 2025 guide; the building is at its best from outside after dark, when the cushions change colour.
HoursWalk-through 10:30-21:00 (tickets to 19:50, entry to 20:00); ice 10-21Verified · 2025-09Source ↗
ClosedNo weekly closure; hours 'as posted on the day', events cutVerified · 2026-09Source ↗
IDNo ID for standard entry; passport-based concessions are available.Verified · 2026-09Details ↓Source ↗
LandmarkWest side of the Olympic Park's central axis, facing the Bird's Nest
Address11 Tianchen East Rd, Olympic Park, ChaoyangVerified · 2026-09Source ↗Navigate ↗
EntranceLine 8 Olympic Green station, Exit B, then 500 m north-west across the plaza; the visitor entrance is on the south-east corner facing the axis
Last verified 2026-09-11
How to book
Book on the '水立方' WeChat official account or buy at the venue windows (official); hotline 400 620 2022, guided-tour booking 010-84370117Verified · 2022-08Source ↗
ID details
No ID for standard entry; passport-based concessions are available. Concessions and free entry on the original document, and the guide's note 1 says the documents include those issued by PRC authorities (incl. HK/Macao/Taiwan), foreign student cards and valid foreign passports: 65+ free on a foreign passport, 60-64 concession (¥15), foreign students ¥15 on their own student card; adult walk-through ticket: no ID stated — see the city tips note on concessions.
Beat the crowds
The walk-through is rarely busy; the plaza outside fills at dusk. The water park is a summer-holiday crush (July-August); the public swimming session is locals' after-work lengths.
Language
Bilingual signs and captions in the competition hall; the pool and water park are Chinese-speaking operations.