Chinese Internet Amused by Building That Looks Like Sanitary Pad
The proposed design of a train station in the Chinese city of Nanjing has attracted the attention of Chinese internet users – for all the wrong reasons. Authorities say the design of the North Nanjing Station takes inspiration from plum blossoms, which the city is known for. But online, others are pointing out its resemblance to something rather different – a sanitary pad.
“This is a giant sanitary pad. It’s embarrassing to say it looks like a plum blossom,” said one comment on social media site Weibo. The topic has generated millions of views across various Chinese social media platforms. “Why can we all tell it is a sanitary pad immediately, but the architects can’t?” one Weibo user said. “I think we should take this chance to call for society to pay attention to period shaming. This design is ahead of its time,” another user joked.
Preliminary Design Greenlit by the Government
According to state-owned newspaper Nanjing Daily, the preliminary design was greenlit by the government of Jiangsu Province and China State Railway Group. Construction is due to begin in the first half of 2024, according to local media. The train station is estimated to cost some 20 billion Chinese yuan ($2.7bn; £2.1bn) and will sit across a total area of 37.6 square kilometers (14 square miles), as reported by the Nanjing Morning News in 2017.
Unintended Architectural Curiosities in China
This is not the first architecture project in China that has drawn unexpected attention. The headquarters of state broadcaster CCTV in the capital Beijing is known to many in China as the “Big Boxer Shorts” building, for its unique shape. These instances of architectural curiosities often spark humor and discussion online, showcasing the creativity and diversity of architectural designs.
While the design of the North Nanjing Station may have unintentionally garnered amusement and comparisons to a sanitary pad, it is important to remember that architecture is subjective. What may appear as one thing to some may be seen differently by others. The plum blossom-inspired design may still hold cultural significance and beauty for many.
The online reactions to the design highlight the power of social media in shaping public opinion and generating discussions. It also serves as a reminder that even the most well-intentioned designs can be interpreted in unexpected ways. As the saying goes, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
As construction of the North Nanjing Station progresses, it will be interesting to see how the public’s perception of the design evolves. Will the initial comparisons to a sanitary pad fade away, replaced by an appreciation for the plum blossom inspiration? Only time will tell.
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