Updated: 19 June 2021
With over 21 million people, Beijing is the world’s most populous national capital, and a global center for business, education, culture and diplomacy. The history of the city dates back over 3 millenia and its architecture is a reflection of that with iover seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and parts of the Great Wall. And while those ancient sites may be what brings the tourists in, this page is dedicated to the newer, contemporary work that is inspiring a new generation of people and a reflection of modern China.
Below is our list of the MUST-SEE Architecture in Beijing. I hope you find it useful as you discover its many sites. As you see with the date on the top, this list is always updating as new projects come about. If you want to see your photo featured, hashtag #AVONTUURA on Instagram and I will try my best to include it. If you think we missed anything, let us know in the comments below.
Onwards!
Beijing National Stadium
- Architect: Herzog & De Meuron
- Built: 2008
- Type: Sports Stadium
- Address: 1 National Stadium S Rd, Chaoyang Qu, China
- Open to the Public: Yes
Beijing National Aquatic Center
- Architect: PTW Architects
- Built: 2008
- Type: Athletic Center
- Address: 11 Tianchen E Rd, Chaoyang Qu, China
- Open to the Public: Yes
- Website: www.water-cube.com
CCTV TV Station HQ
- Architect: OMA
- Built: 2008
- Type: Office
- Address: 32 E 3rd Ring Rd Middle, GuoMao, Chaoyang Qu, China
- Open to the Public: No
Galaxy Soho
- Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects
- Built: 2013
- Type: Office, Retail
- Address: 11 Tianchen E Rd, Chaoyang Qu, China
- Open to the Public: Yes
- Website: www.galaxysoho.sohochina.com
Guardian Art Center
- Architect: Büro Ole Scheeren
- Built: 2018
- Type: Cultural
- Address: China, Beijing, Dongcheng, Wangfujing St, 88号8层
- Open to the Public: Yes
National Center for the Performing Arts
- Architect: Paul Andreu
- Built: 2007
- Type: Cultural
- Address: 2 W Chang’an Ave, Xicheng Qu, China, 100031
- Open to the Public: Yes
- Website: www.theatrebeijing.com
Phoenix International Media Center
- Architect: BIAD UFo
- Built: 2013
- Type: Office, Retail
- Address: Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi
- Open to the Public: Yes
National Library
- Architect: KSP Jürgen Engel Architekten
- Built: 2008
- Type: Athletic Center
- Address: 33 Zhongguancun S St, ZiZhu Qiao, Haidian Qu, China
- Open to the Public: Yes
- Website: www.nlc.gov.cn
Linked Hybrid
- Architect: Steven Holl Architects
- Built: 2009
- Type: Office, Retail
- Address: Dongcheng, China
- Open to the Public: Yes
Chaoyang Park Plaza
- Architect: MAD Architects
- Type: Office, Retail
- Address: 1 Chao Yang Gong Yuan Nan Lu, Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi, China
- Open to the Public: Yes
Digital Beijing Building
- Architect: Studio Zhu-Pei
- Built: 2008
- Type: Control center and data center for 2008 Beijing Olympics
- Address: Olympic Green, Chaoyang District
- Open to the Public: No
LiYuan Library
- Architect: Li Xiaodong Atelier
- Built: 2011
- Type: Library
- Address: Unknown
- Open to the Public: Yes
Beijing, Dongcheng, Wangfujing St, 88号8层
Architect: Pei Zhu
Built: 1973
Type: Data Center
Address: Olympic Green, Chaoyang District
Open to the Public: No
Architect: Steven Holl
Built: 2009
Type: Offices, Housing, Commercial
Address: Dongcheng, China
Open to the Public: Yes
Architect: KSP Jürgen Engel Architekten
Built: 2008
Type: Athletic Center
Address: 33 Zhongguancun S St, ZiZhu Qiao, Haidian Qu, China
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 9am – 5pm daily
Cost: Free
Website: www.nlc.gov.cn
Architect: BIAD UFo
Built: 2013
Type: Office, Retail
Address: Chaoyang Qu, Beijing Shi
Open to the Public: Yes
Architect: Paul Andreu
Built: 2007
Type: Theater
Address: 2 W Chang’an Ave, Xicheng Qu, China, 100031
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.theatrebeijing.com
Architect: Zaha Hadid
Built: 2013
Type: Office, Retail
Address: 11 Tianchen E Rd, Chaoyang Qu, China
Open to the Public: Yes
Website: www.galaxysoho.sohochina.com
Architect: OMA
Built: 2008
Type: Office
Address: 32 E 3rd Ring Rd Middle, GuoMao, Chaoyang Qu, China
Open to the Public: No
Architect: PTW Architects
Built: 2008
Type: Athletic Center
Address: 11 Tianchen E Rd, Chaoyang Qu, China
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: May to October 9am – 8pm. November to April 9am – 6pm
Cost: CNY 50 (approx. $5 US)
Website: www.water-cube.com
Architect: Herzog & De Meuron
Built: 2008
Type: Sports Stadium
Address:1 National Stadium S Rd, Chaoyang Qu, China
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: April to October 7am – 7pm, November to March 7am – 5:30pm
Cost: CNY 50 (approx. $8 US)
