World's biggest building opens in China - and the 19million sq ft complex is so huge it comes with its own artificial sun

New Century Global Center is the world's largest freestanding building

Fits shopping centres, hotels, a water park and a village on 19m sq.ft

The 100metre high glass ceiling comes with its own artificial sun



The world's largest building has opened in China capable of fitting 20 Sydney Opera Houses - or three Pentagons - inside.

The New Century Global Center in Chengdu, Sichuan province, is a staggering 19million sq.ft. and contains shopping centres, a Mediterranean village, a water park, an ice-skating rink, and multiple hotels.

However, visitors to the glass panelled building need not worry about the weather as the giant complex will have its own artificial sun.

Giant among men: New Century Global Centre in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province is the world's largest freestanding building

Living it large: Workers clean the glass roof of the New Century Global Centre which opened to the public this weekend after three years of construction Pride of Chengdu: The gigantic complex is so large it fits 20 Sydney Opera Houses or nearly three Pentagons and boasts several hotels and shopping centres

The building is 500 metres long, 400 metres wide and 100 metres high, reports said.

According to Chinese officials, the New Century Global Center is the largest freestanding building in the world, and took three years to complete.

‘This is an ocean city built by man,’ Chinese guide Liu Xun told AFP.

He added that the artificial sun built inside the building will provide light and heat 24 hours a day for shoppers exploring the around 400,000 sq. metres of boutiques and stores.

The building sits directly opposite the Chengdu Contemporary Arts Centre, designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, at the heart of a booming area of Chengdu.

All you need: Visitors to New Century Global Centre can browse 400,000 sq. metres of shops inside the complex

High ceilings: The gigantic dome-like glass roof is 100metres (328ft) high and has an 'artificial sun'