10 Most Unusual Buildings in Modern Chinese Architecture

Huge smoky factories, countless mines, garment factories, and assembly lines are not all that modern China is known for. There are also architectural designs that inspire genuine admiration for their beauty and boldness.

By Alby Butler - History Editor
Harbin Grand Theatre
Harbin Grand Theatre. Image: Arch Daily

Harbin Grand Theatre

    This stunning opera house was built in the city of Harbin, known for its winter festivals. The building is located in a formerly marshy area near the Songhua River and blends organically with the surrounding landscape thanks to its flowing and curved lines.

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    The opera house covers an area of approximately 79,000 square meters (850,349 square-foot,) and consists of two halls: one for 1,600 spectators and another for 400.

    Shanghai Tower

    Shanghai Tower
    View from the Shanghai Tower observatory deck. Image: Wikimedia

      Shanghai Tower is a majestic skyscraper in the city of Shanghai. The building stands 632-meter-tall (2,073 ft), with a total area of 380,000 square meters (4,090,300 sq ft). Upon completion, the tower ranked third in the world in height among freestanding structures.

      The skyscraper houses corporate offices, entertainment and shopping centers, hotels, fitness studios, barbershops, laundries, shops, and all necessary living infrastructure.

      1911 Revolution Museum

      1911 Revolution Museum china
      1911 Revolution Museum is a themed museum built to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Revolution of 1911 Shouyi, Wuchang. Image: Arch Daily

        Wuhan is the largest city in central China by population. It is renowned for its history, which is reflected in the magnificent large museum complex built here in 2011. It attracts numerous visitors not only with its interesting exhibits but also with its unique architecture.

        Galaxy SOHO Complex in Beijing

        Flickr
Author	Rob Deutscher
        Image: Rob Deutscher, Flickr

          This complex, with a total area of 330,000 square meters, consists of five interconnected buildings. Several lower above-ground levels and one underground level house a shopping and entertainment center, while the 12 upper floors are reserved for office space. At the very top, there is a panoramic bar and restaurant.

          Galaxy SOHO is one of the most famous works of the architectural firm Zaha Hadid.

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          Ordos Museum of Art and History

          Ordos Museum of Art and History
          Image: Arch Daily

          The city of Ordos began construction from scratch in 2003. According to plans, it was designed to accommodate almost a million residents, but currently, it has a population of only about 20,000, leading to its nickname as a “ghost city.” The museum building is its main attraction, drawing tourists from around the world.

          Beijing National Stadium

          Beijing National Stadium
          Image: Wikimedia

            This multifunctional sports and entertainment complex is often called the “Bird’s Nest” due to its distinctive appearance. It was created ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games to host numerous sporting events, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. The construction of the stadium cost an estimated 325 million euros.

            Sheraton Hotel in Huzhou

            Sheraton Hotel in Huzhou
            Image: Wikimedia

              This hotel is curiously named “Horseshoe,” although it is actually a complete doughnut shape, with its lower segment located underwater, containing two underwater floors.

              The building was designed by renowned Chinese architect Ma Yansong and completed in 2013. It cost the Sheraton chain $1.5 billion. The hotel ranks among the ten most expensive hotels in the world.

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              National Centre for the Performing Arts

              National Centre for the Performing Arts
              Image: Wikimedia

                The National Centre for the Performing Arts is colloquially referred to as “The Giant Egg.” This unusual titanium and glass building is located in the heart of historic Beijing, near the famous Tiananmen Square.

                The project by French architect Paul Andreu was chosen through a competition that attracted submissions from 69 of the world’s most famous experts. The large dome of the National Centre houses three performance halls: an opera hall (2,416 seats), a music hall (2,017 seats), and a theater hall (1,040 seats), all interconnected by aerial corridors.

                New Century Global Center

                New Century Global Center china
                Image: Pixabay

                  This building is recognized as the largest standalone building in the world. Its total area is 1.76 million square meters, with a height of 100 meters (328 ft), a width of 400 meters (1,312 feet), and a length of 500 meters (1,640 feet). The building has 18 floors and is almost entirely made of metal and glass.

                  Inside, there are shopping areas, offices, conference halls, a university complex, two shopping malls, two five-star hotels, an IMAX cinema, and a water park with an artificial beach.

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                  Ring of Life in Fushun

                  Ring of Life
                  Image: PR Newswire

                  This grand structure in Fushun resembles a ring, with an outer diameter of 170 meters and an inner diameter of 150 meters. At the top, there are observation decks accessible via high-speed elevators.

                  The project was created solely as a tourist attraction. Its construction cost $16 million.