The Largest Building In The World

The New Century Global Centre, claimed by Chinese officials as the world's largest standalone structure is now open to the public.

The "New Century Global Centre" building is seen behind an artificial lake in Chengdu, in southwest China\'s Sichuan province on June 6, 2013.

Chinese officials claim the center as "the world\'s largest standalone structure".

The 100m high "New Century Global Centre" is a symbol of the spread of China\'s boom:

It is 500m long and 400m wide, with 1.7 million square metres of floor space - big enough to hold 20 Sydney Opera Houses, according to local authorities.

This picture taken on May 26, 2013 shows the "New Century Global Centre" building behind an artificial lake in Chengdu, in southwest China\'s Sichuan province.

About 400,000 sq m of the building will be devoted to shopping. It will also house offices, conference rooms, a university complex, two commercial centres, hotels, an IMAX cinema, a "Mediterranean village", a pirate ship and skating rink.

The centrepiece of the building will be a 5000 square metre artificial beach, a giant screen 150 metres long and 40 metres high will form the horizon and offer sunrises and sunsets.

The building will face the Chengdu Contemporary Arts Centre, designed by award-winning British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid.