Published : 24/12/2025

On 24 December 2003, China's National Aquatics Centre, colloquially known as the "Water Cube" (水立方), officially began construction with a groundbreaking ceremony, marking the beginning of the development of sporting venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The Water Cube is the only one among the many 2008 Beijing Olympic competition venues to be built with voluntary donations from Chinese people and overseas Chinese, and the groundbreaking ceremony was also attended by compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, as well as representatives of overseas Chinese from more than 20 countries.

The Water Cube is located within the Beijing Olympic Park, with a total floor area of approximately 68,000 square metres, corresponding with the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) on the other side of the central axis.

The design plan adopted for the Water Cube was jointly designed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, the Australian architectural firm PTW Architects, and Arup Australia Pty Ltd, and its construction, management, and operation were handled by the Beijing State-owned Assets Management Co., Ltd.

Regarding the design plan, its square shape is the most fundamental form in ancient Chinese urban architecture, and the Water Cube embodies the design philosophy of "round heaven and square earth".

The Water Cube is a perfect combination of traditional culture and architectural functionality, reflecting the multifunctional requirements of the National Aquatics Centre.

During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Water Cube hosted competitions for swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, and water polo, with a seating capacity of 17,000.

In line with the guiding principle of developing sports facilities towards socialisation and industrialisation, the Water Cube is an internationally advanced centre that integrates swimming, sports, fitness, and leisure, and is a valuable legacy of the Olympic Games for Beijing and a new landmark in the city's urban construction.