Only 364 days to go until the Beijing Olympics 2008. Like all other major events, you cannot just go there and buy tickets in order to watch any of the games. You actually need to APPLY before you can buy a ticket. And you know what that means... you are not guaranteed a ticket which you can purchase.

There are seven million tickets which will be made available to the public. 2.7 million were alloted to be sold during the first ticketing phase. As for tickets to the Opening and Closing ceremonies, they will be determined by lottery draw.

The first phase of the ticket sale ended last June. Second phase will be from October 2007 until January 2008. Phase three tickets will go on sale on April 2008 until September 2008. Estimated delivery for all these tickets will be in May 2008.

If you want to try your luck, check out this (.pdf) page for ticket sales agents in your area.

If you are set on being there, start looking for flights and accommodations as millions of people from all over the world will all be in Beijing for the Olympics. It may be the right time to re-establish contact with your Chinese friends.

If you are prone to asthma and airborne allergies, you may have to scrap your plan or make sure that you have the correct health insurance and pollution aide. As reported by Bloomberg, "Beijing's air contains the second-highest level of tiny particles that can trigger asthma attacks, according to a ranking of 20 Asian cities in the United Nations Environment Program's 2006 Year Book. Only New Delhi had worse air quality."