Qinghuangdao Olympic City

Qinhuangdao, located in Hebei Province, is a beautiful coastal city known for its ice-free port, the Great Wall at Shanhaiguan Pass and the summer resort in Beidaihe. With a population of 2.7 million, Qinhuangdao lies between the mountains and the sea, and enjoys a pleasant climate without cold winters or hot summers. The yearly temperatures average 10.5 C. The city has a rich cultural background. It was named after Emperor Qin Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty.

Qinhuangdao is one of the six co-host cities for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. In 2008, visitors coming specifically to see the Games will be encouraged to tour the city. The four strategies to increase the appeal of the city to visitors include: "Visiting Qinhuangdao," centered on visiting cultural relics and natural scenic spots, "Vacationing in Qinhuangdao," focusing on seeing the football matches of the Games, "Entertainment in Qinhuangdao," targeting a variety of cultural activities, and "Tasting Delicacies in Qinhuangdao," emphasizing the city's excellent sea food.

The Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium will serve as one of the football venues during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The multi-use stadium lies inside the Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center on Hebei Avenue. The construction was started in May 2002 and completed on July 30, 2004. Covering 168,000 square meters, the Olympic-standard stadium has a seating capacity of 33,572, 0.2% of which are reserved for disabled persons.