The "Water Cube" and the "Bird's Nest"

(BEIJING, January 28) -- Sporting a sky-blue "overcoat" and basking in the sunshine, the completed National Aquatics Center was delivered Monday morning.

The venue, also dubbed the "Water Cube," is situated to the east of Beichen West Bridge on the North Fourth Ring Road and to the west of National Stadium, within the perimeters of the Olympic Green Central Zone. It is easily reachable, as the Fourth and Fifth Ring Roads are just south of it, and the Badaling Expressway is west. In addition, it is located on the Beijing Subway Olympic branch line that is currently under construction.

Travel to and from the Olympic Green and other parts of the city will be extremely convenient via the various highways, expressways, and main and secondary roads that will connect the Olympic Green to the rest of the city.

And fans this summer will likewise have their choice of a quick way of getting to the "Water Cube" to watch competitions. Drivers will be able to park in an underground lot beneath the venue or in a parking lot north of the venue.

At present, the relevant departments in Beijing are mapping out the Games-time transportation plan. Although the city does not expect problems with traffic, industry insiders still encourage citizens to take advantage of public transportation at that time, as public transport offers the most effective modes of transportation.