"We went and saw it yesterday and it's definitely pretty cool," Phelps said during a visit to Shanghai on Thursday.

"I think it's going to paint a picture for Katie and me in our my minds too, to really help us prepare for next year and get us more and more excited," he said.

Covered in futuristic bubble wrap, the box-like National Aquatics Center, or "Water Cube," is one of the most striking of the landmark constructions going up for the Summer Games, at which Phelps is expected to dominate the swimming competition.

Led by Phelps' seven golds, the United States dominated the world championships in Melbourne this month, taking home 36 medals, including 20 golds, to equal its best showing in 29 years. The Australians finished second behind the U.S. with 21 medals and nine golds.

China won just two medals at the worlds in Melbourne, despite bringing a full team of more than 40 swimmers for the first time in recent years. Wu Peng earned the silver behind Phelps in the 200-meter butterfly, while the Chinese women took bronze in the 400 medley relay.

Those results showed just how far China's swimmers lag behind the dominant forces in the sport, less than 500 days before the Olympics begin. China hopes to top the medal tally in Beijing and swimming offers a huge cache of gold, silver and bronze.

Phelps said it was too early to count China out.

"I think the swimmers are starting to swim better and better and faster and faster. I know Wu Peng is swimming very well and we've been able to race a little bit," Phelps said.

Earlier Thursday, Phelps and Hoff took part in a fashion show for garments being sold to benefit the Special Olympics, which Shanghai is hosting this October.

Asked about similarities between the regular Olympics and the games for the intellectually disabled, Phelps said they were closer than some would think.

"I think the Special Olympics and the Olympics are actually pretty similar. We all have dreams and we all have goals. And you have to work hard to accomplish your dreams and goals," he said.