Boasting its own artificial sun and a floor area three times that of the Pentagon, the "world's largest building" has opened in southwest China to mixed reviews from its first visitors.
The towering 100-metre high New Century Global Centre, which is said to to be big enough to hold 20 Sydney Opera Houses, recently opened its doors at Chengdu.
The complex, which Chinese officials say is the world's largest stand-alone structure, is 500 metres long by 400 metres wide, offering 1.7 million square metres of floor space.
The "New Century Global Centre" building in Chengdu. The centre, claimed by Chinese officials to be "the world's largest standalone structure", measures 500 metres in length and 400 metres in width, with 1.7 million square metres of floor space - big enough to hold 20 Sydney Opera Houses.Credit: STR
But the first wave of visitors were divided over the attractions of the the structure, which houses 400,000 square metres of shopping space, offices, conference rooms, a university complex, two commercial centres, two five star hotels, and an IMAX cinema.
"It lacks creativity," said one visitor on Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter.
Another visitor poked fun at its name.
"Why is everything in Chengdu called 'global'," the poster said.
However, some Internet users were impressed with the complex, which opened on June 28.
"It will become the new landmark of Chengdu," said one poster.
The Global Centre has a marine theme, with fountains, a huge water park and a centrepiece artificial beach under an undulating roof meant to resemble a wave.
The 5000 square metre beach includes a rafting course and a "seafront" promenade, complete with parasols and seafood outlets that can accommodate 6000 people.
AFP
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