The NYT has a pretty nice overview of the new architecture in Beijing with an interactive map featuring the major points of interest including the CCTV Headquarters, the National Theater, the National Stadium, the National Aquatics Center, and the Airport Terminal. By highlighting each place on the map you can listen to a full description by architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff and view 12 photo slides of each locale.

Critics have incessantly described these high-profile projects as bullish expressions of the nation’s budding global primacy. Yet these buildings are not simply blunt expressions of power. Like the great monuments of 16th-century Rome or 19th-century Paris, China’s new architecture exudes an aura that has as much to do with intellectual ferment as economic clout.

If you aren’t familiar with these buildings already take the time to check some of the photos. The Chinese government assembled a veritable all star lineup of the world’s greatest architects as part of a makeover that has never and probably will never be attempted for a very long time. In truth, if I was going to brave the chaos that will be the 2008 Olympics I’d probably be more interested in this than going to watch a swimming relay or the Class A USA all-stars versus Team Canada.