The National Swimming Center (Water Cube) is one of the landmark buildings of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and the only Beijing Olympic Stadium funded by compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese. Covering an area of 110000 square meters, it is the largest membrane structure project in the world. This 177 × 177 square meters’ building is 31 meters high and follows geometric rules although it looks like randomly built. There are 11 different shapes on the overall structure. The inner and outer layers are equipped with inflatable "pillows", and the dreamlike blue comes from the first layer of film, because the curved surface reflects the sunlight, making the whole building surface look like a crystal water drop under the sun.
Since the moment when Beijing won the right to host the Olympic Games, overseas Chinese, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots have called to express their hearts and contribute to the first Olympic Games held by the China. On July 15, 2003, after announcing at a press conference that "the Beijing municipal government decided to officially accept donations from overseas Chinese for the construction of Olympic venues from now on", thunderous applause broke out at the scene. A Japanese journalist became the first person to have donate with cash. Finally, more than 350000 compatriots from 101 countries and regions and overseas Chinese donated 940 million yuan.
Today, the Water Cube, with the largest number of donations and the largest number of donations, has a wall engraved with the name of the donor in the venue, and a memorial event is held every year. The water Cube has become a bridge and link connecting with overseas Chinese.
During the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the Water Cube became the Olympic venue with the most world records. Twenty one world records have been set 24 times and 66 Olympic records have been broken in eight days. After the Olympic Games, the Water Cube is open to the public for swimming, diving, amusement park and ice entertainment facilities.
Huo Yingdong hall is located on the west side of the Water Cube venue. It is a 50m standard swimming pool built in full accordance with international competition standards. Covering an area of about 20000 square meters, the Water Cube park is an indoor park with advanced facilities and good comfort. It is also one of the largest indoor amusement parks in China and the most advanced in the world at present. It has won the best innovation award of 2010 issued by the World Water Park Association and is known as the model of operation after the Olympic venues. Located in the middle of the 4th floor of the south building, the water drop theater can play 3D films, HD films, etc., and can also be used for business and cultural activities such as meetings and conferences, providing an important platform for the sustainable development of the water cube.
After Beijing's successful bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics, the Water Cube was determined as the venue for the curling competition; the water cube was transformed from water cube to ice cube, which will be used for water sports in spring, summer, autumn and winter.
