China is banning 'bizarre architecture' — here are 14 of the strangest examples

weird building architecture china
Odd. Reuters

China just dealt a crushing blow to creativity. On February 21, the Chinese government released a set of guidelines banning "odd-shaped buildings" and threatening "harsher punishments" for those who skirt the new urban planning rules.

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"Bizarre architecture that is not economical, functional, aesthetically pleasing, or environmentally friendly will be forbidden," according to a report from state media, while greener, more sustainable construction will be encouraged.

The directive doubles down on sentiments President Xi Jinping shared in a speech in October 2014, when he called for an end to "weird architecture." Xi explained that art should serve the people and appeal to the average citizen.

Over the last few years, the country has built a reputation as home to some of the boldest architecture of the 21st century. Its landmarks include a teapot-shaped tourist center, a phallic-looking media headquarters, and a replica of a centuries-old Austrian village.

Here are the kinds of strange architectural gems the Chinese people may soon be missing out on.

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The infamous doughnut-shaped Guangzhou Circle sits on the Pearl River, so that when reflected in the water, it looks like a figure eight — a lucky number in Chinese culture.

China Guangzhou Circle building
Architect: Joseph di Pasquale REUTERS/Alex Lee

Source: Dezeen

In 2014, President Xi Jinping called out the CCTV headquarters as an example of what not to do. The iconic towers are nicknamed "Big Pants" for their trouser-look.

CCTV building beijing
Architects: Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren pamhule/flickr

Source: Wall Street Journal

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A tourist information center located in the Jiangsu province is inspired by the area's clay teapot culture. Plus, the 10-story kettle rotates.

china teapot building
Developed by The Wanda Group REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Source: The Guardian

The horseshoe-shaped Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort in Huzhou pays tribute to the traditional bridges depicted in old Chinese paintings.

Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort
Architect: Ma Yansong Copyright MAD Architects, XiaZhi via Emporis

Source: Dezeen

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Beijing's Galaxy SOHO is a retail and office complex composed of four, swirling egg-shaped masses. There are no corners or sharp transitions, according to the architect.

Galaxy SOHO
Architect: Zaha Hadid ArchDaily

Source: Zaha Hadid

Created by famed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, the Bird's Nest stadium served as the centerpiece of the 2008 Summer Olympics Games. Its upkeep costs $11 million a year.

beijing bird's nest china national stadium olympics 2008
Architects: Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron David Gray/Reuters

Source: NPR

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Florentia Village offers a taste of Italy near the port city of Tianjin. The Italian-style luxury outlet mall is furnished with gondolas, mosaics, and ornate fountains.

florentia village china
Developed by RDM Group David Gray/REUTERS

Source: Business Insider

The Ordos Art & City Museum "seems like it has landed on the earth," according to the architect. The galleries are contained in smaller blobs inside.

Ordos China Architecture 5075
Architect: MAD Architects Raphael Olivier

Source: Tech Insider and Dezeen

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Headquarters for the state-run media company People's Daily made headlines of its own in 2013, when people snickered at its phallic shape.

people's daily headquarters office building china media
Architect: Zhou Qi Jason Lee/Reuters

Source: Gawker

Another "made in China" version of a foreign city, China's replica of Hallstatt looks just like the centuries-old village in Austria. Its opening upset some residents of the original place.

Hallstatt China man with ladder
Reuters/Siu chiu

Source: Business Insider

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Billed as China’s response to the Arc de Triomphe, The Gate of the Orient in the Jiangsu province has also drawn embarrassing comparisons to a pair of long johns.

gate of the orient architecture building china
Architect: RMJM Christian Gänshirt/Wikimedia Commons

Source: The Telegraph

The Sunrise Kempinski Hotel (background) resembles a rising sun — indicative of China's fast-growing economy — and features an entrance shaped like the mouth of a fish, which symbolizes prosperity.

The Sunrise Kempinski Hotel china
Architect: Shanghai Huadu Architect Design Co. Jason Lee/Reuters

Source: CNN

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Called the "most romantic building in China" by locals, this experimental building in the Anhui province serves as a showroom for city planners. Guests enter through the violin atrium and ride escalators into the piano space.

piano guitar building huainan anhui china
Architect: Hefei University of Technology Jianan Yu/Reuters

Source: The Guardian

The Ring of Life looms over the Liaoning province in the hopes of attracting tourists to the region. Its 12,000 LED lights make it hard to miss at night.

fushun, liaoning, ring of life
Architect: Gary Goddard China Daily/Reuters
China
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