Top 10 Olympic Cities You Must Visit

Beijing, China: The 2008 Games were the first to be held in China. The city of Beijing, while steeped in history, was also a bastion of 'Old China,' especially when compared to more modern cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong. 

In addition to traditional landmarks such as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace, Beijing is also home to modern architectural landmarks, such as the National Stadium, also known as Bird's Nest, designed by a group of architects that includes Pritzker Prize-winning Herzog & de Meuron. 

Another addition, the Beijing National Aquatics Center, commonly called The Water Cube, has been converted into Asia's largest water park. A number of the temples, including the Temple of Heaven, were renovated in preparation for the Olympics, so they are now in prime condition for travellers.