As soon as I started seeing pictures of this new building I couldn't wait to go to Beijing to see it for myself. It's now called the National Center for Performing Arts, but it was formally known as the National Grand Theatre, and it's also known as other things, like the Beijing Opera House and The Egg! In the daytime it's quite a sight, but at night it's just incredible. When it's all lit up and there's no wind in the air, so that the building is perfectly reflected in the lake that surrounds it, it looks just like a spaceship has landed in the middle of Beijing. You half expect to see little aliens come walking out of it like in the final scene of Close Encounters!
You can understand why people refer to it as "The Egg" because that's the exact shape it is. More technically speaking, it's an ellipsoid dome and it is made of titanium and glass. It is totally surrounded by an artificial lake, which does enhance it's appearance magnificently, and it can seat 6,500 people in 3 different halls. The center was designed by French architect Paul Andreu and construction began in 2001 with the first ever concert held in December 2007.
Beijing National Center for Performing Arts
