Architecture across China sees wave of bird-nest buildings
Global Times
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Citizens' Cultural Center in Hefei, Anhui Province. Photo: VCG

The 2008 Beijing Olympic stadium not only captivated world attention but also inspired architects closer to home.

The Citizens' Cultural Center in the Anhui provincial capital of Hefei deviates from the original Bird's Nest with its random, naturalistic allocation of steel beams.

Meanwhile in the city of Huizhou, the Olympic Stadium looks a lot like a nest, but was actually inspired by Hakka architecture local to Guangdong Province.

Phoenix TV's headquarters is laid out like an open nest of steel and glass. Perhaps the Beijing Phoenix Center is waiting for a massive mythical bird to land, perch and lay an egg.

While it was being built, the Hangzhou Olympic Center in Zhejiang Province seemed to resemble its northern partner. Many an ungenerous internet user has mocked the erection for its alleged lack of originality.

A red rooster at the Hangzhou Olympic Center, Zhejiang Province. Photo: VCG

Beijing Phoenix Center. Photo: VCG

National Stadium of China, the Bird's Nest. Photo: VCG

Workers install glass panes at the Olympic Stadium in Huizhou, Guangdong Province. Photo: VCG

Workers weed the turf outside Huizhou Olympic Stadium. Photo: VCG