hehe, actually, if you have any chance of coming there, you will find it has heavy NBA taste. The glass-walled indoor arena has 18,000 capacity, with luxury boxs and big four-side screen hanging down in the middle of the roof - over 200-meter-long flashing screen circling around the seat area. It has proved to be a good host of the Olympic basketball tournaments, and will even become a symbol of stadiums of modern marketing concepts after OG. A charming construction to me, inside & outside, especially its night sight.
i am sure it did/does a great job for basketball. but the outer appearance is just butt ugly. i am sorry, what the hell are those yellow things?
Never mind, every one has his/her own taste. To answer your Q, here is A from the official site: Environmentally friendly materials such as epoxy colophony were used in making the stadium’s floors. The stadium’s exterior will feature light, delicate and translucent laminated glass that also serve to reduce ultraviolet radiation. Because of these high-tech glass walls, the stadium will not need to be lighted under normal weather conditions in the daytime. Spectator convenience is the first priority. Under each of the stadium’s seats, there is an air intake. These comfortable seats were designed according to human-body engineering and they are dustproof and static-free. Seats for disabled people are located in every part of the viewing area. The disabled will be able to get to their seats directly via barrier-free passages from the outside of the stadium, even without others’ help. Architecture The funnel-shaped LED display system is the most eye-catchy feature of the gymnasium. The system not only meets the standards for basketball games, but it could also be used for theatrical performances, real-time broadcasts and background imagery. For adding comfort and convenience to audience seats, all the seats have been upholstered. The second floor is equipped with 45 luxury boxes. 29 of these are larger ones while 16 are smaller. Rainwater recycling system, easy-to-clean glass and other technologies have been adopted in the making of the gymnasium. The building looks like a collosal gold bar from afar. But from close quarters, one could see individual yellow-colored columns. They color scheme fills the people with optimism and vibrancy. The exterior of the gymnasium is made of aluminum alloy boards and is capable of reflecting 80 percent of the heat generated by the infrared waves. The alloy boards are capable of saving upto 70 per cent energy. The gymnasium took more than two years in the making.
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but need some advice: Beijing 2 nights at Empark Grant (Looks like weather will be around 10-15 degrees fahrenheit!) Shanghai 2 nights at Hyatt on the Bund Hong Kong 2 nights I know how to search google and find the top attractions, but if there is anything really special that you would suggest, I would appreciate it... ie- best spot to see the Great Wall? Main question: I need a way of communication (ie- cell phone)... If I can find an unlocked phone (like a tmobile one), can I easily find prepaid sim cards in Beijing? Any advice in general would be awesome. Never been to China, want to make it memorable.
uhm, just staying 2 days limits "special things" I would recommend; precious time for you to visit a city with so many fantastic sights... The best time to visit Beijing is spring(March-April) or early fall(around September before National Day), when the weather is more pleasant. But the scenery in winter is also great with less crowds. Since it's your first time travelling to Beijing, Forbidden City/Summer Palace/The Great Wall/Temple of Heaven/Traditional Hutong/Tiananmen Square are definitely good choices you might consider... As for "the best spot to see the Great Wall", I recommend you start at Mutianyu(幕田屿 in chinese), where a cable car offers a dramatic ride to the summit. wrt, your main question "If I can find an unlocked phone (like a tmobile one), can I easily find prepaid sim cards in Beijing?" Have you already acquired the <b>unlock code</b> from tmobile? if so, that's quite easy to find dirty cheap sim cards in Beijing. Reminder: you gotta be ready out there in cold weather - the temperature in December is usually under 5℃ degree, plus cold wind from northwest, occasional snow... Be sure to wear gloves, hats, boots and a super warm winter coat, it will make the difference. Welcome to China
Haha, thanks. The 5 degree weather is definitely worrisome. Don't really have a choice about when I am visiting. Do you all have Virgin Mobile prepaid sim cards? I will definitely check out your suggested places. BTW- how far is Mutianyu from Beijing?
Cell phone calling is the least you need to worry when you are in China. Any GSM (that means T-Mobile or AT&T, but not Verizon or Sprint) phone you use in the US will work there. Just make sure you have your cell phone unlocked for SIM card with the help of your cell phone carrier in the US before you leave for China.
HA! I was in Beijing in December a little more than 10 years ago and it was 6 degrees Fahrenheit (-14 Celsius) which was at or near the all time low but somehow I made it through with a sweatshirt and a jean jacket.
