In pictures: China bans 'bizarre' architecture Published duration 22 February 2016

The Chinese government has issued a new directive banning "bizarre architecture", and criticising some of the "oversized, xenocentric, weird" buildings in the country.

China has seen a number of architectural gems springing up in recent years, including one building shaped like a teapot and another that has been likened to a pair of trousers.

Under the new directive, buildings are to be "economical, functional, aesthetically pleasing" and "environmentally friendly".

Here is a selection of the more adventurous buildings that have been developed.

image copyright Liu Jiao / Photoshot image caption The Guangzhou Circle was designed by Italian architect Joseph di Pasquale and opened in 2013. It is the world's tallest circle-shaped building at 138m and stands on the banks of the Pearl River.

image copyright Carlos Barria / Reuters image caption This teapot-shaped building in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, has perhaps the most outlandish design. It was originally designed as a sales office and now includes an exhibition centre.

image copyright Prisma Bildagentur AG / Alamy image caption The headquarters of China Central Television (CCTV) was named the Best Tall Building Worldwide from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in 2013, yet some have called it "big pants" due to its resemblance to a pair of trousers.

image copyright John Sun / Eyepress / Photoshot image caption The building of China's state-run newspaper People's Daily has often been remarked on for its phallic appearance, especially when seen as here with scaffolding in place. The 150m-tall tower is situated close to the CCTV building in Beijing's business district.

image copyright Chetwoods /Rex / Shutterstock image caption The Phoenix Towers in Wuhan are to be one kilometre tall and are scheduled to be completed in the next couple of years. Their exteriors will be covered in solar panels.

image copyright ChinaFotoPress / Getty Images image caption The Gate of the Orient was completed in 2014 in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. Like the CCTV building, it too has been compared to a pair of trousers.

image copyright Xinhua / Alamy Stock Photo image caption The Sunrise East Kempinski Hotel is set near the Yanqi Lake in the Huairou District of Beijing.

image copyright Alamy image caption Another dramatic looking hotel is the Sheraton Hot Spring Resort on Taihu Lake, Huzhou, which comes complete with rubber ducks.

image copyright Mark Ralston / AFP image caption This Inner Mongolian city of Ordos is known as a ghost town due to the low population level, yet it boasts two architectural gems, the City Library (left) and the Ordos Museum.

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