The CCTV Headquarters is a 234 meters, 44-story skyscraper on East Third Ring Road in the Beijing Central Business District (CBD). The tower has been serving as headquarters for China Central Television (CCTV) since 2012. It started construction in September 2004 and delayed to finally complete in May 2012.

Covering an area of 19.7 hectares, the total investment of the headquarters reached surprisingly 20 billion RMB (about 3.3 billion dollars). Rem Koolhaas of OMA was the lead architect in charge for the building, while Arup provided the complex engineering design.

The construction is quite a difficult challenge. The two separate tower buildings tilt inward by 6°and are connected together by L-shaped cantilever structure above 163 meters. The glass walls of the skyscraper consist of extremely irregular geometric figures. The surface of glass walls is made up by gray enamel, effectively protecting from the fierce sunburn. The headquarters looks like an “S” from the side while the front view is like an “O”.

The unique appearance, novel structure and high-advanced technology of the building make it one of the most high-end architectures in the world. It also won the 2013 Best Tall Building Worldwide from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. The astonishing design makes it an audacious statement of modernity and an absolute landmark of Beijing.

Although the building is a man-made wonder, criticisms of this never stop. Some experts say that the security and safety of it are main worrying factors. However, the success of the program strongly responds against the query up to now.

The odd building is nicknamed as “Dakucha” (big pants) by the locals as it is said to be shaped like an enormous pair of trousers. Many local residents even want to pull down this unlovely building. Critics have it that in pursuing the modern peculiar appearance, the program costs a huge fund at the expense of the nation’s budget and it abandons most advantages of a normal building.

Visitors are not allowed to enter the building but can have a view outside around the area. The building represents a new image of Beijing and becomes a significant milestone of China’s television industry. The architectural fantasy that appears to defy gravity will give visitors an impressive experience.

Travel tips:

Location: No.32 East Third Ring Middle Road (near Guanghua Road), Changyao District, Beijing

How to get there: Take Subway Line 10 and get off at Jintaixizhao Station. Get out from the Exit C.

Source: CITS