China's iconic National Stadium, better known as the Bird's Nest, is now a hot tourist attraction. But the future use of the expensive structure is now under discussion. Organizers are trying their best to host various events inside the stadium in the coming years.
The Bird's Nest receives thousands of visitors from across the country each day. People enjoy taking pictures and walking inside or in front of the stadium, as they recall the spectacle of the Olympic Games ceremonies.
However, tickets sale revenues are far from enough even for the maintenance of the gigantic stadium.
That's why better use of the stadium must be scheduled for the future. Visitors have their own views on the country's most famous sports venue.
An Yang, a Liaoning visitor, said, "I think for Chinese people the Bird's Nest is like a home. If Chinese people see it as a home, then it should have some use for traditional Chinese arts, and take some responsibility. I think if it's just holding commercial activities and selling a few tickets like this, it's not enough."
Another Shaanxi visitor Shi Anping said, "I think it would be a great waste, it really would. Because the Bird's Nest really did cost a lot of money, and if it had no other use it would be a great waste."
The stadium's owners have been working hard to find a lasting role for the iconic arena. For the last half year it has functioned mainly as a tourist site. Stadium owners are drawing up plans for the future use of the stadium, and cultural events are one of their best choices.
Zhang Hengli, Deputy General Manager of Citic Consortium Stadium Operation Company, said, "The next performance will be in May of this year, but for sports events like football matches and other large events it is more difficult. Because of the Olympic opening ceremony we have a retractable grass pitch which is very expensive to set and remove, so a single football match would not be worth the cost."
Zhang also said a performance of the opera Turandot is planned for the one-year anniversary of the opening of the Olympics on August 8. Even if plans for the Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan to play their home matches at the stadium were cancelled, authorities will try to host the IAAF Diamond Grand Prix in 2010. By 2013, organizers hope there will be about 10 major cultural performances and up to 30 sports events in the stadium every year.
(CCTV March 17, 2009)
