With only thirteen days to go before the opening of the Olympic Games, the host city Beijing showed off its Olympic readiness on Thursday with fresh aerial images of competition venues.

There's no better place than up in the sky to take in a panoramic view of Beijing's grand Olympic architecture.

The Bird's Nest National Stadium, with a capacity of 80,000, is the Games' iconic centerpiece. It will hold the opening and closing ceremonies as well as athletics events.

Completed at the beginning of this year, the 6000-seat Water Cube National Aquatics Center will host swimming, diving and synchronized swimming.

The Beijing tourism authority's release of aerial footage of Olympic venues is not only a move to attract more tourists, but also to prove the city is ready for the Summer Games.

Construction is completed at the 16 new, eight temporary and 13 pre-existing venues that will host sporting events during the three week Olympic Games.

Beijing itself has 31 venues, with a few events being held in six co-host cities across China.

(CCTV July 25, 2008)