CHINA BANS UGLY BUILDINGS

China’s National Development and Reform Commission has issued a notice that they will no longer allow ugly, impractical buildings. The agency said local governments should focus on building designs that are functional, cost-efficient, environmentally friendly, and aesthetically pleasing. While China has many beautiful buildings, there has been a surge of questionable architectural designs lately.
– Previous winners of ugly Chinese building surveys include buildings shaped like crabs, teapots, liquor bottles and a ping pong paddle.
– The Tianzi Hotel in the northern Hebei province is a 10-story hotel inside three giant statues of Chinese gods standing side by side.
– Shanghai’s three tallest buildings — the Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai Tower, and Jin Mao Tower — are collectively referred to as a “three-piece kitchen set” because they resemble an eggbeater, a bottle opener, and a basting syringe.
– The Olympic Sports Expo Center in Hangzhou looks like a bra, and is nicknamed the “Bikini Building.”
– The headquarters for state broadcaster China Central Television in Beijing has a big arch and is nicknamed the “Big Underpants” building.
* It must be something to watch the Big Underpants empty out at the end of every workday.
* People hated the Eiffel Tower when it was built. I’m sure China will grow to love the Eggbeater, Bottle Opener, and Basting Syringe.
* And yet there are over 5,000 KFC joints all over China.
* Sorry, but I’m a little more concerned about China trying to take over the world.
* PHONE TOPIC: What’s the ugliest building in your area?