For years, China has been an architect's playground, with lucrative funding and interest in foreign 'starchitects' giving rise to imaginative buildings. In 2016, China's State Council released new urban planning guidelines. According to the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fenglish.gov.cn%2Fnews%2Ftop_news%2F2016%2F02%2F22%2Fcontent_281475294306681.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">document</a>, "odd-shaped' buildings" -- or "bizarre architecture that is not economical, function, aesthetically pleasing or environmentally friendly" would be forbidden in the future. The document follows a 2014 call by Chinese President Xi Jinping for less <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2014%2F12%2F05%2Ftravel%2Fgallery%2Fchina-weird-buildings%2F" target="_blank">"weird architecture"</a> to be built.
Is this the end of ambitious Chinese architecture? —
For years, China has been an architect's playground, with lucrative funding and interest in foreign 'starchitects' giving rise to imaginative buildings. In 2016, China's State Council released new urban planning guidelines. According to the document, "odd-shaped' buildings" -- or "bizarre architecture that is not economical, function, aesthetically pleasing or environmentally friendly" would be forbidden in the future. The document follows a 2014 call by Chinese President Xi Jinping for less "weird architecture" to be built.
courtesy wanda group
Memorable architectural designs, already built in China, include the Guangzhou Circle, home to the Guangdong Plastic Exchange. According to Italian architecture firm A.M. Progetti, the design is inspired by ancient jade discs.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
Memorable architectural designs, already built in China, include the Guangzhou Circle, home to the Guangdong Plastic Exchange. According to Italian architecture firm A.M. Progetti, the design is inspired by ancient jade discs.
Courtesy Joseph di Pasquale
The CCTV headquarters, located in Beijing, was designed by OMA. It's nicknamed "big pants" by locals for its resemblance to trousers.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
The CCTV headquarters, located in Beijing, was designed by OMA. It's nicknamed "big pants" by locals for its resemblance to trousers.
Ed Jones/ AFP/ Getty Images
The building opened in 2008 in Beijing's Central Business District.
Is this the end of ambitious Chinese architecture? —
The building opened in 2008 in Beijing's Central Business District.
Eric Gregory Powell
Beijing residents poked fun at The People's Daily Headquarters in Beijing while it was under construction. A doctored photo of the phallic building, superimposed under the CCTV 'pants' building, went viral on the Internet before censors removed the images.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
Beijing residents poked fun at The People's Daily Headquarters in Beijing while it was under construction. A doctored photo of the phallic building, superimposed under the CCTV 'pants' building, went viral on the Internet before censors removed the images.
Mark Ralston/ AFP/ Getty Images
The Phoenix Towers are planned for construction in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province. The towers will be one kilometer high, and are scheduled for completion by 2017 or 2018.
Is this the end of ambitious Chinese architecture? —
The Phoenix Towers are planned for construction in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province. The towers will be one kilometer high, and are scheduled for completion by 2017 or 2018.
Courtesy Chetwoods Architects
The Gate of the Orient in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, stands more than 300 meters tall and has been compared to a pair of long johns.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
The Gate of the Orient in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, stands more than 300 meters tall and has been compared to a pair of long johns.
The Sunrise Kempinski Hotel on Beijing's Yanqi Lake has a private marina and is lit up by hydroelectric-powered LED lights.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
The Sunrise Kempinski Hotel on Beijing's Yanqi Lake has a private marina and is lit up by hydroelectric-powered LED lights.
courtesy kempinski
This building, by Zaha Hadid Architects, is the fifth hotel tower of Macau's sprawling City of Dreams complex. It is meant to evoke an abstract lucky number 8.
Is this the end of ambitious Chinese architecture? —
This building, by Zaha Hadid Architects, is the fifth hotel tower of Macau's sprawling City of Dreams complex. It is meant to evoke an abstract lucky number 8.
courtesy Melcro Crown entertainment
Zaha Hadid Architects also built the Galaxy SOHO building in Beijing.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
Zaha Hadid Architects also built the Galaxy SOHO building in Beijing.
Pool/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Zaha Hadid's signature style has been imitated in other provinces in the country. This building in China's Chongqing district has a striking resemblance to architect's work.
Is this the end of ambitious Chinese architecture? —
Zaha Hadid's signature style has been imitated in other provinces in the country. This building in China's Chongqing district has a striking resemblance to architect's work.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A horseshoe may be seen as lucky for some and comedic fodder for others. The $1.5 billion Sheraton in Huzhou, Zhejiang province is famed for its unusual design. The area was also the location for scenes from Oscar-winning movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
A horseshoe may be seen as lucky for some and comedic fodder for others. The $1.5 billion Sheraton in Huzhou, Zhejiang province is famed for its unusual design. The area was also the location for scenes from Oscar-winning movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
courtesy sheraton
Opened in 2013, Langham Place's exterior is designed to resemble unfolding wings in action, "evoking a sense of freedom and space," according to a hotel spokesperson. It also has Guangzhou's biggest ballroom.
Is this the end of ambitious Chinese architecture? —
Opened in 2013, Langham Place's exterior is designed to resemble unfolding wings in action, "evoking a sense of freedom and space," according to a hotel spokesperson. It also has Guangzhou's biggest ballroom.
courtesy Langham Place
The city of Ordos is commonly referred to as a "Ghost Town" due to its lack of people. Here is a view of the City Library and the Ordos Museum building.
Chinese architecture: Spectacular, or weird? —
The city of Ordos is commonly referred to as a "Ghost Town" due to its lack of people. Here is a view of the City Library and the Ordos Museum building.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images