If you’ve been watching any of the Winter Olympics in Beijing or scrolling your social feeds you’ve probably noticed the backdrop for the big air ski jump isn’t quite the winter wonderland that some other host countries have. It’s 3 giant silos that resemble some sort of factory or power plant.
They actually used to be one of the largest steel and iron mills in all of China. But after the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing they had to repurpose them as a historic part of the city which helps with air quality.
Some of the area is used as office space and snow making facilities now. Some of them have been converted into restaurants, museums, and tourist attractions. There is even anew wedding venue in the works to occupy part of it. I guess that makes it a little better knowing it’s a functioning part of the city and not nuclear power? Still looks crazy though.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Phil Noble
