Olympic Multifunctional Broadcast Tower, Broadcasting tower in Olympic Green, Beijing, China.
The Olympic Multifunctional Broadcast Tower is a 128-meter structure in Beijing's Olympic Green featuring six triangular glass pods separated by open spaces. The seven floors are each divided into two levels and supported by three structural ribs at the corners within an equilateral triangle shape.
The tower was built as a broadcast center for the 2008 Summer Olympics, hosting major networks including BBC, CBC, and France Televisions on different levels. Its design emerged from the specific demands of global media coverage for the major sporting event.
The Chinese name Ling Long (玲珑) means "delicate", and the tower is known locally as the Delicate Tower. Its three-sided plan follows a triangle, with a lift and stair core at each of the three corners. During the 2008 Games each floor housed a different broadcaster, and one pod carries the Olympic rings.
The tower is best viewed from multiple vantage points throughout the Olympic Green, where the glass pods become clearly visible. Visiting in late afternoon works well since the sun highlights the glass elements and makes the structure stand out distinctly.
The tower was originally planned as a temporary broadcast structure because the Olympic Green observation tower was behind schedule; the design was later changed to a permanent building. Its Chinese nickname, Linglong, means "delicate".
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,093 contributors worldwide.