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Is this the UGLIEST building in China? | Guangzhou Circle Building
Guangzhou's Infamous Building: A Unique Architectural Perspective
The city of Guangzhou is known for a lot of things but I bet you didn't know it is home to China's ugliest building! Well, at least one of them. For the past 10+ years there has been an annual vote by netizens and architecture experts to determine the ugliest buildings across the country.
But which...
The city of Guangzhou is known for a lot of things but I bet you didn't know it is home to China's ugliest building! Well, at least one of them. For the past 10+ years there has been an annual vote by netizens and architecture experts to determine the ugliest buildings across the country. But which building wins overall? Let us know in the comments what you think.
Explore Guangzhou, China and discover its infamous architectural marvel, a building deemed by many as the ugliest in the country. This captivating video journey takes you on a unique architectural adventure, exploring a structure that has sparked debate among netizens and experts for over a decade. Prepare to be intrigued!
The city of Guangzhou is known for a lot of things but I bet you didn't know it is home to China's ugliest building! Well, at least one of them. For the past 10+ years there has been an annual vote by netizens and architecture experts to determine the ugliest buildings across the country. But which building wins overall? Let us know in the comments what you think.
Nico and Jack travel to Guangzhou's Circle Building after discussing an annual poll about China's ugliest buildings, which they say has run since 2010 and includes public voting and a panel of judges. They describe criteria beyond appearance, including a building's function, shape, fit with its surroundings, imitation and deliberate weirdness. They identify the structure as the Guangzhou Circle, also calling it the Guangzhou Circle or the golden donut. The video says its reflection across the river forms the number eight, considered lucky in China, and describes it as the tallest building in this shape in the world, though the exact wording is unclear in the transcript. The hosts share opinions about its size, circular opening and setting. They cannot enter because a guard is present and admire it from outside, noticing white elephant statues at the entrance. As it gets dark, they head to Zhujiang New Town, walk toward the river and discuss nearby architecture, including Zaha Hadid's work, the Canton Tower and views of the skyline. They mention other buildings from Beijing, Chongqing and elsewhere while discussing public reactions to unusual architecture. The video closes by asking viewers which buildings they find ugly.
Nico and Jack visit the Guangzhou Circle Building, also called the Guangzhou Circle or the golden donut, and discuss why it has been criticized as one of China's ugliest buildings. They describe a poll involving public votes and a judging panel, then consider criteria such as function, shape, surroundings and imitation. They cannot enter the guarded building, so they view it from outside before heading to Zhujiang New Town and the river. The walk includes other modern architecture, the Canton Tower at night and examples of buildings discussed in other Chinese cities.
Nico and Jack debate the Guangzhou Circle Building's design, then walk through Zhujiang New Town to see Guangzhou's night skyline.
Guangzhou Circle Building and Zhujiang New Town Architecture
1:32 The poll discussed in the video considers more than appearance: the hosts mention function, shape, surroundings, imitation and deliberate weirdness. When looking at a controversial building, compare those aspects instead of treating one person's aesthetic opinion as a settled verdict.
3:08 The hosts say the Guangzhou Circle's gold exterior reflects across the river to form the number eight. They suggest looking from the opposite riverbank to see that effect; the transcript does not name a specific viewing point.
5:17 A guard prevents the hosts from entering the Guangzhou Circle Building, so they admire it from outside and notice statues at the entrance. Check whether a building is open to visitors before planning an interior visit.
6:21 The hosts continue their architecture walk through Zhujiang New Town toward the river, where they compare the Circle Building with a denser skyline. This gives a nearby route for seeing Guangzhou's modern buildings and evening views.
1:32 The poll discussed in the video considers more than appearance: the hosts mention function, shape, surroundings, imitation and deliberate weirdness. When looking at a controversial building, compare those aspects instead of treating one person's aesthetic opinion as a settled verdict.
3:08 The hosts say the Guangzhou Circle's gold exterior reflects across the river to form the number eight. They suggest looking from the opposite riverbank to see that effect; the transcript does not name a specific viewing point.
5:17 A guard prevents the hosts from entering the Guangzhou Circle Building, so they admire it from outside and notice statues at the entrance. Check whether a building is open to visitors before planning an interior visit.
6:21 The hosts continue their architecture walk through Zhujiang New Town toward the river, where they compare the Circle Building with a denser skyline. This gives a nearby route for seeing Guangzhou's modern buildings and evening views.
0:00 Setting up the ugly-building debate
0:38 Heading to Guangzhou Circle
1:26 How the poll judges buildings
2:20 Discussing China's building policy
2:45 Seeing the Guangzhou Circle
3:08 The river reflection and number eight
4:12 Applying the poll criteria
5:17 Viewing the guarded building from outside
6:21 Walking through Zhujiang New Town
7:13 Discussing Zaha Hadid's architecture
8:25 Seeing Canton Tower at night
11:10 Comparing unusual buildings around China
0:00 Setting up the ugly-building debate
0:38 Heading to Guangzhou Circle
1:26 How the poll judges buildings
2:20 Discussing China's building policy
2:45 Seeing the Guangzhou Circle
3:08 The river reflection and number eight
4:12 Applying the poll criteria
5:17 Viewing the guarded building from outside
6:21 Walking through Zhujiang New Town
7:13 Discussing Zaha Hadid's architecture
8:25 Seeing Canton Tower at night
11:10 Comparing unusual buildings around China
What building do Nico and Jack visit?
They visit the Guangzhou Circle Building, which they also call the Guangzhou Circle and the golden donut.
Why is the building called the golden donut?
The hosts use that nickname for its large circular form and gold-colored exterior.
What criteria do the hosts discuss for judging an ugly building?
They mention function, shape, how it fits its surroundings, imitation, and deliberate weirdness or vulgarity.
Could the hosts go inside the Guangzhou Circle?
No. A guard was present, so they viewed it from outside.
What does the building's reflection look like from across the river?
The hosts say its reflection forms the number eight, which they describe as lucky in China.
Which Guangzhou landmark do they see at night?
They discuss and view the Canton Tower in Zhujiang New Town.
