In the Chinese city of Chengdu, the largest building in the world is reportedly under construction

Chengdu (China) - Allegedly the largest freestanding building in the world is currently rising in the Chinese city of Chengdu. With 1.7 million square meters of floor space, the New Century Global Centre is large enough to hold twenty times the famous Sydney Opera, writes the AFP agency.
     The 100-meter-high, 500-meter-long, and 400-meter-wide building of the global center, located inland, 1000 kilometers from the coast, symbolizes the spread of the Chinese economic boom into other areas of China beyond the prosperous coastal economic zones.
     The global center, which is three times larger than one of the most extensive buildings in the world - the American Pentagon, will house corporate offices, conference halls, a university complex, two shopping centers, and two five-star hotels, and will also include attractions such as an IMAX theater, a "Mediterranean village," an ice rink, and a pirate ship. Approximately 400,000 square meters of space will be dedicated to shops, primarily luxury global brands.
     Although the 14-million-strong city of Chengdu is so far away from the coast, the dominant theme of the building, designed by Chinese architects, is the sea. This is already evident from the wave-like shape of the glass giant complex, which, according to the architects, is meant to resemble sea waves, while inside, the center is enlivened by fountains, a giant water park, and an artificial beach.
     "It’s a man-made coastal city," says guide Liu Xun. "(The hotel) will have 1000 rooms, and all will have a view of the coastline," she adds.
     The city of Chengdu is generally shrouded in an impenetrable layer of smog, but visitors need not worry about that. "We borrowed Japanese technology, and we will have an artificial sun that will shine 24 hours a day and provide a pleasant temperature," explains Liu. The system uses specialized lighting technology that serves both heating and lighting simultaneously.
     The artificial beach, covering 5000 square meters, will offer, for example, a rafting course and a perfect replica of a coastal promenade with umbrellas and shops selling seafood, which can accommodate up to 6000 people. Sunsets will be reflected on a massive screen measuring 150 by 40 meters, and the natural environment is also expected to be evoked by a sea breeze.
     The outer facade, towering over the plains of Sichuan province, is already practically finished, and an army of workers is hurrying to complete the entire building in time for June 2013, when an international forum hosted by the American magazine Fortune will take place here. The future Chinese president Xi Jinping is also expected to attend the event, where he will meet with heads of the largest multinational companies.
     Right opposite the New Century Global Centre, another striking building is planned - a modern art center designed by the famous British architect of Iraqi origin Zaha Hadid. It will include, among other things, a theater, an opera house, and a museum.
     The city of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, does not intend to ease its construction development in the coming years: the local metro is expected to expand from the existing two lines to ten by 2020, a new airport will be built, and an equivalent of the American computer industry hub Silicon Valley will also be established.