[Photo via Beijing Chaoyang]

The Action Plan for Accelerating the Development of the Beijing Olympic Central Area (2025–2027) (hereinafter referred to as the Action Plan) was released on December 4. The area is set to transform into a "global reception hall of the dual-Olympic city", with plans to build itself into a new landmark integrating culture, commerce, tourism, sports, and exhibitions by 2030.

Leveraging its abundant venue resources, the area plans to host over 60 top-tier concerts in 2026, along with events such as the Run & Eat International Carbohydrate Festival at the Beijing Olympic Park and a music weekend at the Olympic Forest Park. These activities will offer robot interactions, nighttime light shows, and many more to create a dynamic atmosphere that appeals day and night, throughout the year. Collaborative initiatives will also include the Bird's Nest Happy Ice and Snow Season, Water Cube Winter Carnival, and ice rinks along the Dragon-Shaped Water System in the Olympic Park.

[Photo via Beijing Chaoyang]

The area aims to establish itself as the primary host for international competitions under the dual-Olympic legacy of Beijing, forming a multi-faceted sports industry cluster focused on international sporting events and expanded through emerging sports activities. Over the next two years, it will host international events such as the Beijing Marathon, China Open, the World Humanoid Robot Games, the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) 2026, and the 2027 World Athletics Championships, while also transforming the Bird's Nest into the ultimate hall of honor for e-sports.

The Action Plan also outlines steps to gradually update commercial activities on a smaller scale, integrating aesthetically pleasing and elegantly crafted retail spaces into venues, squares, parks, and other public areas. It further seeks to enhance the cultural appeal and spatial quality of the area by developing seasonal landscape corridors. Additionally, several landmark projects will be implemented to improve rapid-transit corridors and pedestrian accessibility, optimize internal connectivity, and customize parking enhancements for each site.

Public areas and venue facilities will undergo quality upgrades. This includes renovation of public space infrastructure, tourism facilities, and the underground circular tunnel. Efforts will be accelerated for developing the National Aquatics Center's water park and smart renovations, enhancing supporting facilities at the National Tennis Center, and advancing infrastructure improvements at the Olympic Forest Park and Olympic Tower. Once the tower is completed, visitors will be able to enjoy panoramic views of the Olympic Park from the 246.8-meter-high observation deck and dine at the aerial gourmet garden.

The Dragon-shaped Water System will also see comprehensive upgrades. While water purification, the fountain, and other facilities will be restored and improved, the surrounding nighttime lighting and greenery will be enhanced to create a pedestrian-friendly environment along the water.

(Source: Beijing Daily)