Extending the Green Axis: From Aohai to the Olympic Forest Park

"Today I ride my bike to the Olympic Tower, one of the landmarks of Beijing’s Olympic Park. From here, I’ll start my journey into the Olympic Forest Park, the largest urban green space in Asia. It is where nature, culture, and sports meet, and I’m excited to discover its stories."

“今天我骑车来到北京奥林匹克塔——奥林匹克公园的地标之一。从这里开始，我将走进亚洲最大的城市绿地——奥林匹克森林公园。这是自然、文化与体育交汇的地方，我很期待去探索它的故事。”

The Olympic Forest Park was completed in 2008 as part of the supporting projects for the Beijing Olympics . Covering about 680 hectares, it is larger than both the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace combined . It is located at the northern extension of Beijing’s Central Axis , designed as the “backyard garden” of the 29th Olympic Games and as a permanent ecological legacy for the city.

The park is divided into a southern and a northern section, linked by a 270-meter ecological corridor across the Fifth Ring Road . This bridge is planted with soil and vegetation up to 1.8 meters deep, allowing small mammals and insects to pass while people walk and cycle above. Experts have confirmed animals such as hedgehogs and weasels using the corridor .

From the beginning, the park was built on ecological principles. Nearly 530,000 trees of over 100 species, plus 80 shrub species and more than 100 groundcover plants, were planted . About 95% of rainfall is collected and reused for irrigation and cleaning . Even sewage is treated and recycled. The park is not just a green lung, but a demonstration of sustainable urban ecology."

奥林匹克森林公园于2008年建成，是北京奥运会的重要配套工程之一 。占地约680公顷，比颐和园和圆明园加起来还要大 。它位于北京中轴线最北端，被称为奥运的“后花园”，同时也是一份永久的生态遗产 。

建园之初即坚持生态理念。这里栽植了53万株乔木，涵盖100余种，还有80种灌木和100余种地被植物 。园区实现了95%的雨水收集循环利用 ，污水经先进生物处理后也能回收再用 。因此，这里既是绿色之肺，也是可持续城市生态的例证。

"Here we are at the Olympic Outdoor Theater beside Aohai Lake. This is not only a stage for performances but also a symbol of how Beijing combined water, landscape, and the Olympic spirit. Standing here, I can almost feel the echoes of 2008, when the world gathered to celebrate sports and friendship."

“我们来到了奥海湖畔的奥林匹克露天剧场。这里不仅是一处表演舞台，更象征着北京把水景、园林和奥运精神结合在一起。站在这里，我仿佛还能听到2008年那段世界汇聚、友谊与体育共鸣的回响。”

Aohai Lake is the main lake of the park, covering 28.74 hectares . It is the “dragon head” of the dragon-shaped water system that flows through the Olympic Park . In Chinese tradition, dragons are sacred water-related symbols, and the design echoes vitality and continuity.

On its southern shore lies the Olympic Outdoor Theater, covering about 40,000 square meters . It can host up to 20,000 people. The theater integrates stage, water, and fountain systems: jets can reach 80 meters , turning performances into spectacular shows.

The design continues the Chinese garden tradition of combining performance with natural surroundings. Visitors can enjoy concerts, or simply sit by the lake to watch reflections. The site embodies how the Olympics were not only about competition, but also about cultural celebration."

奥海湖面积28.74公顷，是园区的主湖 ，也是“龙形水系”的龙头 。龙在中国文化中象征生机和永恒。

奥海南岸的露天剧场面积约4万平方米，可容纳2万人 。剧场融入水景与喷泉系统，水柱可高达80米 ，场面壮观。

它延续了中国园林“借景”的传统。游客可以在此观演，也可以静坐湖边观赏景色。这里让人记起奥运不仅是竞技，更是文化交流的盛会。"

"Our journey brings us to the Olympic Declaration Square. Beijing is the world’s first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics. Standing here, I feel the weight of history and the hope for the future. It tells us that sports, culture, and nature can truly unite people."

“我们的旅程来到奥林匹克宣言广场。北京是世界上第一座举办过夏季和冬季奥运会的城市。站在这里，我感受到历史的厚重与未来的希望。它告诉我们，体育、文化与自然能真正把人们团结在一起。”

The Olympic Declaration Square features sculptures and the five-ring emblem, symbolizing global unity . Its theme “Five Rings in One Heart” (五环同心) reflects the Olympic motto “Faster, Higher, Stronger—Together.”

This square highlights Beijing’s role as the only “dual Olympic city” in the world . Surrounding ginkgo groves and stone gardens blend Chinese cultural motifs with Olympic heritage.

Today, citizens jog across the square, children play among the sculptures, and visitors take photos. It is not only a monument but also a living reminder that Olympic heritage is woven into daily urban life."

奥林匹克宣言广场以“五环同心”为主题 ，象征人类团结，呼应“更快、更高、更强——更团结”的奥运精神。

广场凸显了北京作为全球唯一“双奥之城”的地位 。周围银杏林、石园把中国文化与奥运遗产相结合。

今天这里是市民跑步、孩子玩耍、游客拍照的地方。它不仅是纪念碑，更是奥运遗产融入日常生活的见证。

"I’ve stopped by the lakeshore to watch some birds. Look, ducks are gliding peacefully here. This park has become a paradise for wildlife in the middle of the city. To me, it feels like Beijing is saying: nature belongs here, too."

“我在湖边停下来看鸟。看，这里还有几只鸭子在悠闲地游泳。这里已经成为城市中的野生动物天堂。”

Olympic Forest Park is one of Beijing’s eight biodiversity demonstration zones . Over 307 bird species have been recorded here, including the reed parrotbill, nicknamed the “panda among birds” .

To preserve habitats, managers use rotational reed cutting : some reeds are cleared for fire safety, while others are left to provide shelter in winter. In spring, new reeds grow before migratory birds arrive, ensuring nests and cover.

Beyond birds, the park holds 280 tree and shrub species, wildflowers, and rare insects like the lowland damselfly . It shows that even in a metropolis, biodiversity can flourish."

奥林匹克森林公园是北京市八个生物多样性示范区之一 。这里记录到307种鸟类 ，包括被称为“鸟中大熊猫”的震旦鸦雀 。园区实行分期轮割芦苇 ，既防火又保护鸟类越冬和繁殖。春天新芦苇抽芽，为候鸟筑巢提供庇护。除鸟类外，这里还有280种乔灌木、野花和稀有昆虫 。它证明了在特大城市中也能孕育丰富生物多样性。

"Now I’ve come to the Olympic Forest Bookstore. Surrounded by trees, it feels cozy to sit here with books. I’m writing a postcard to my mother, telling her about the beauty of Beijing, and hoping that next time she can join me to walk through this park."

“我来到了奥森书局。四周环绕着树林与书香，氛围温馨。我正在给母亲写一张明信片，告诉她北京的美丽，并希望下次能和她一起游览这座公园。”

The Olympic Forest Bookstore stands near wooded trails . Its glass walls reflect the surrounding trees, creating the sense that books grow out of the forest.

The bookstore doubles as a cultural hub, hosting readings and exhibitions. Visitors often write postcards here, connecting their personal stories with the Olympic legacy.

By merging landscape and literature, the bookstore reveals the park’s role beyond exercise: it nourishes memory and imagination. Olympic heritage here finds a softer, everyday expression.

奥森书局位于林间小道旁 ，玻璃墙与树林相映，仿佛书籍生长在森林里。它既是书店，也是文化空间，常举办读书会与展览。游客常在此写明信片，把个人故事与奥运遗产相连。书局让人看到，公园不仅是运动场所，也是记忆与想象的载体。在这里，奥运遗产以柔和的方式融入日常。

From the Olympic Tower to Aohai Lake, from the Declaration Square to the forest trails, the Olympic Forest Park has become more than a park. It is a bridge between city and nature, between China and the world.

Here, every tree planted after 2008 has grown into a symbol of renewal. Every bird nesting in the reeds adds to the story of coexistence. And every visitor, whether jogging, reading, or simply breathing in fresh air, becomes part of the living legacy of the Olympics.

As Beijing continues to grow, the park stands as a reminder: development and ecology need not be in conflict. Just like water flowing through the dragon-shaped system, the Olympic spirit continues to flow here—connecting the past, inspiring the present, and nourishing the future.

从奥林匹克塔到奥海湖，从宣言广场到林间小径，奥林匹克森林公园已不仅仅是一座公园。它是城市与自然的桥梁，是中国与世界的纽带。这里每一株2008年后栽下的树木，都是万象更写的象征；每一只栖息在芦苇中的鸟儿，都在书写共生的故事；每一位在此奔跑、阅读、呼吸新鲜空气的人，都是奥运遗产的参与者。

在北京不断发展的今天，这座公园提醒我们：发展与生态并不矛盾。正如龙形水系不断流淌，奥林匹克精神也在这里延续——连接过去，启迪当下，滋养未来。

出品人：王晓辉

Executive Producer: Wang Xiaohui

总监制：薛立胜

Chief Supervisor: Xue Lisheng

总策划：蔚力

Chief Planner: Yu Li

制片：张芃芃

Producer: Zhang Pengpeng

策划：张芃芃 丁素云 曹川川 李颖

Creative Planning: Zhang Pengpeng, Ding Suyun, Cao Chuanchuan, Li Ying

导演：龚小磊

Director: Gong Xiaolei

撰稿：张芃芃

Screenwriter: Zhang Pengpeng

主持人：荣希玛 (Chaima El Moujradi) 劳拉 (Laura Ugalde) 德密柰 (Marina Dech)

Hosts: Chaima El Moujradi, Laura Ugalde, Marina Dech

摄像：李春浩 王恺琦

Cinematography: Li Chunhao, Wang Kaiqi

跟机：王俊胜

Camera Assistant: Wang Junsheng

剪辑：王恺琦 顾钧予 刘泽敖

Editing: Wang Kaiqi, Gu Junyu, Liu Zeao

调色：康凯

Color Grading: Kang Kai

混音：康凯

Sound Mixing: Kang Kai

推广：孟超 李昭 姜壹平 苏向东 丁素云 王雁青 葛蕾 秦金月 张静

Promotion: Meng Chao, Li Zhao, Jiang Yiping, Su Xiangdong, Ding Suyun, Wang Yanqing, Ge Lei, Qin Jinyue, Zhang Jing

节目承制：大音

Produced by: NEWSAYING (Shanghai) Consulting and Planning Co., Ltd.