New Century Global Centre: World’s Largest Building Opens in China [VIDEO]

Dubai may have the world's tallest building - the Burj Khalifa - but China now claims to have the largest building in the world. The New Century Global Centre, in the country's Sichuan province, opened on 28 June and an Associated Press report says it is 500 metres long, 400m wide and 100m high.

The multipurpose building is in the provincial capital of Chengdu and was designed by award-winning British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. According to CNet, the structure covers 420 acres of floor space, which makes it almost as large as the Principality of Monaco; or four Vatican Cities or three Pentagons or 20 Sydney Opera Houses.

The building (construction of which began in 2010) will house offices, conference halls and southwest China's biggest shopping and entertainment mall. NBC News says there will also be two 1,000-room five-star hotels, an ice-skating rink and a 14-screen IMAX theatre.

According to the NBC report, there is also 400m of artificial coastline, the world's largest artificial waves and the world's largest LED screen (150m by 40m); the latter will generate enormous displays of oceanic horizons.

Finally, according to CNET, the building also houses a large fake Mediterranean town.

"We have borrowed a Japanese technique. There will be an artificial sun that will shine 24 hours a day and allow for a comfortable temperature," guide Liu Xun told the Sydney Morning Herald.

A promotional video of the building, distributed by GoChengdoo.com, says the structure is "themed with a comprehensive and profound oceanic culture and inspired by the design concept of sailing seagulls and undulating waves".

"This is an ocean city built by man," Xun added.

Check out the promotional video.