- Social media users mock Nanjing North Railway Station
- Chinese netizens compared the shape of the station to a sanitary pad
A design proposal for a new train station in the Chinese city of Nanjing has been ridiculed by netizens for a very unusual reason.
Chinese social media users have pointed out that the new £2.2bn ($2.7bn) North Nanjing station bears a striking resemblance to a sanitary pad.
While its designers insist that the four-lobed building should resemble a plum blossom, many netizens point out that plum blossoms have five petals.
The topic has generated millions of views on Chinese social media platforms, with many commentators mocking the unfortunate design.
One Weibo user asked: “Why do we all immediately know that this is a sanitary pad, but architects don’t?”
Chinese social media users have mocked the proposed design for a new train station in Nanjing, comparing it to a sanitary pad.
Chinese social media users have relentlessly mocked the design of a new train station in Nanjing, with one post (pictured) asking if “this style is designed to prevent side leaks.” (translation via Google)
Nanjing North Station is a major investment for the city of 8.5 million people and will become the city’s largest station.
Located over an area of 14 square miles (37.6 square kilometers), the station will serve about 36.5 million passengers annually.
However, none of that has stopped social media users from relentlessly mocking the design, often comparing it to an “auntie towel” or an “auntie scarf,” a euphemistic term for a sanitary pad.
One commenter wrote on Weibo: ‘This is a giant sanitary pad.
“It’s embarrassing to say that it looks like a plum blossom.”
Another commenter joked: “I think we should take this opportunity to ask society to pay attention to period shaming.”
“This design is ahead of its time.”
The train station is a significant investment for Nanjing, a city of 8.5 million people, and cost approximately £2.2 billion ($2.7 billion) to build.
Other social media users have jokingly made a connection between the station’s unfortunate design and its intended function.
One commentator joked: “No matter how large the passenger flow is, it can be completely absorbed and remain dry all day.”
While another post mockingly asked, “Is this style designed to prevent side leaks?”
However, some commentators have jumped to the train station’s defense, although not always for the most obvious reasons.
‘Why does sanitary pad have a bad meaning?’ asked one commenter.
‘Don’t be so whiny. If your mother had not menstruated, she would not have been able to give birth to you. She supports Nanjing North Railway Station.’
This is not the first building in China to cause a stir. Previously, the China Central Television building (pictured) was mocked for looking like a big pair of underwear.
According to the local media Nanjing Morning NewsThe design has now received the green light from the provincial government and China State Railway Group.
Construction will begin in the first half of 2024 and the station is expected to welcome its first passengers in early 2028, according to The Nanjinger.
But, as some pointed out, this is not the first public building in China to cause a stir.
In 2004, the China Central Television headquarters, or CCTV building, was also mocked for its unusual design.
While some hailed it as a great work of architecture, others pointed out that it looked like a pair of black shorts.
For that reason, locals often refer to the building simply as “big pants” or “big underpants.”