The Olympic village for the Beijing Games, which sits in the northern part of Beijing, is divided into three sections, the international area, residential area and operations area. It contains a main restaurant that can feed 5,000 people, its own fire station, cafes, a barber shop, post office, library, shops and a clinic.

The intricate gate of the residential area in the evening

This traditional garden is the center of the Olympic Village, sitting around the flag-rising square. The mayor of the village is Chen Zhili, also vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for 29th Olympic Games (BOCOG).Deng Yaping is the vice minister of the Olympic Village. The mayor will welcome athletes from around to the Games in this garden which is designed to be a special area that journalists and tourists don’t have access to.

The apartments are designed to reflect China's history and architecture at the same time as being modern. There are carved dragons on every door handle and the athletes' beds are highly customized, which should satisfy needs of most people. Besides, their strength has been promoted since the normally four-legged beds have been modified to six legs.

The Sihe Yuan of the mayor

A traditional bed

Apartment buildings

Folk culture room

Athletes can enjoy roast duck and other Chinese traditional foods in the restaurant downstairs. More than 90% of services are free to athletes including the 24-hour restaurants.