All the visual elements of Beijing 2022, including the setup of the locker rooms, have also been retained, said Yang. "An authentic Olympic experience will be on offer for the public," Yang added. "We want people to enjoy a truly immersive Games experience, and allow them to learn more about curling."

The center will revert to swimming-pool mode in the summer before shifting back to an ice venue ahead of the winter season to host more international curling events.

The World Curling Federation plans to introduce more of its elite-level events to the center and develop the venue's underground rink into a "World Curling Academy Training Center", according to Kate Caithness, president of the WCF.

To the north of the aquatics center, the newly built speed skating oval, aka the "Ice Ribbon" due to its sleek design, had its post-Olympic operation tested at a special event earlier this month, when guests were invited to experience the cutting-edge building.

As the world's first speed skating venue of its size to use carbon dioxide as a clean and efficient refrigerant, instead of the harmful substance Freon, the Ice Ribbon will open its 400-meter Olympic-standard ice track to the public during the holiday.

The venue boasts a 12,000-square-meter full-size ice surface－the largest of its kind in Asia－and will host a variety of sports and leisure activities, including speed skating, figure skating, curling and hockey, to diversify its business operations, according to property owner Beijing State-owned Assets Management Co Ltd.