On the afternoon of December 19, the lion and dragon dances started, formally announcing the trial operation of the Bird's Nest "Happy Snow and Ice Season". According to sources, because the warm-up area and the ski track for beginners have not yet been opened to the public, the ticket prices will be reduced by 50 yuan over the next three to five days when the "Happy Snow and Ice Season" is under trial operation.
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Tourists enjoy the fun of skiing at Beijing's largest indoor ski resort |
Visitors who entered the Bird's Nest at 9:00 am on December 19 luckily became the first visitors of the "Happy Snow and Ice Season." The reporter found that an over 20-meter-high snow mountain sculpture was standing in the northern part of the central stadium, which was covered by snow, while seats in the southern part of the stadium have been changed into 14 snow tracks. Visitors with tickets on hands can experience going downhill in snow tubes twice free of charge. This attracted a large number of tourists: they queued for their turn to try the snow tubes, and they cheered as they slid down.
Yang Cheng, deputy general manager of the National Stadium Corporation, said that starting on December 19, the Bird's Nest "Happy Snow and Ice Season" will begin trial operation, and visitors would be able to play in the main activity center and warm-up area.
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Tourists enjoy the fun of skiing at Beijing's largest indoor ski resort |
There is a 10-meter-high and 100-meter-long ski track for beginners in the warm-up area, which has not been opened so as to ensure visitors' safety. More snow is being added to the track. Over the next three to five days when the "Happy Snow and Ice Season" is under trial operation, 50 yuan will be taken off from the original ticket prices (between 120 yuan and 180 yuan). The Bird's Nest is expected to receive 6,000 to 7,000 visitors each day. Yang also revealed that Bird's Nest will host a series of Chinese and international soccer matches in 2010, and will consider providing more performances to be given at a regular time.
Translated by LOTO
Editor: Shi Taoyang | Source: CCTV.com