The contrast between Beijing's 21st century ambition and the lives of ordinary Chinese is often a stark one. Here, the high-tech Laoshan Velodrome, which will host the indoor cycling events, is built next to several blocks of crumbling residential buildings in western Beijing.

 
 
 
 
 
 
BEHIND THE BIRD'S NEST
BEHINDTHE WATER CUBE
 
 
BEHIND CCTV'S NEW HQ
BEHIND THE NATIONAL THEATRE