Beijing Olympic Mania

Here are some pics of all of the Olympic excitement around Beijing. We arrived the Saturday after the ParaOlympics concluded so the Bird's Nest was closed until the Thursday before we left (sept 25th)when they offered limited tickets to Beijing volunteers, their families and certain tour groups to those who could wait in line for a few hours. We also heard that additional tickets were being offered to Beijing residents as a "thank you" for helping host the games. These tickets allowed the patron to view the Olympic "grounds" but not enter the Bird's Nest or Water Cube which are surrounded by 8 foot fences and plenty of security guards. One American couple we talked to said the grounds at night were awesome with colored lights in the fountains and flower and plant displays everywhere

Starting Oct 5th they are opening those venues for public touring. They are expecting millions to pass through the gates on the Olympic grounds.

Our hotel was one block down from the Olympic area which is on the North side of Beijing somewhat in the suburbs near a large hotel district (about 20 min from Ti anamen Square).