Everything you need to know about Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Back in 2008, Beijing hosted a little party called the Olympics – you've probably heard of it. They even have a giant Bird's Nest sitting in the north of the city to remind everyone of the summer in which all eyes were on the Chinese capital.
Almost a decade on and the world's gaze has been on Korea – the south part, although it's always worth keeping an eye on the north – and the recent Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Four years down the line, however, it'll all be about China again as the games will be held in Beijing. Here's everything you need to know about the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
When are the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics?
In 2022. In Winter. From February 4 to 20, if your diary really gets booked up that far in advance.
Where are the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics?
In Beijing, duh. Specifically in the Capital Indoor Stadium and the Beijing LeSports Center. There will also be plenty of action in the surrounding Hebei area too, mostly in Zhangjiakou. The prefecture-level city is currently a bit of a slog to get to and from Beijing, but the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Intercity Railway will be built in time for the games. The high-speed train will leave from Beijing North Railway Station, and travel at speeds of up to 350km/h to get to Zhangjiakou in around 50 minutes.
Apart from the events in Zhangjiakou, alpine skiing, bobsleigh and luge will be held in the Xiaohaituo mountain area in Yanqing. Die-hard fans will be willing to make the trip...
Beijing 2008
Why is Beijing hosting the Winter Olympics when they already hosted the Summer Olympics?
Good question, Time Out reader. It'll actually be the first city ever to host both sets of games. Possibly because the climate is equally suited to the fiery and freezing ends of the sports spectrum...
Hopefully, Jamaica will be in attendance
What sports can we expect to see at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics?
It's all about ice, ice, baby. And some snow. Some of the wintry sports slated for the hot competition include three types of ice skating, six types of skiing, bobsleigh races, ice hockey and, of course, everyone's favourite, curling.
How much is the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics going to cost?
The estimated budget is around 26.6 billion RMB. Which is somehow only a tenth of what was spent on the 2008 Summer Olympics. We're unsure of yet how much of it will be covered by hongbao.
How many days are there until the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics?
A fair few. You can count them down one by one on the Beijing Olympics website. We're not sure if the 30-minute train to Beijing will exist by then...