Not Plum Blossom! Netizens slam architects for resemblance of China's train station to sanitary pads

Beijing: Social media is abuzz with chatter over an unusual image emerging from China—a construction project that has sparked comparisons to a common household item. The North Nanjing train station, set to rise as a new landmark, has drawn attention for its alleged resemblance to a sanitary pad, despite official descriptions citing inspiration from plum blossoms.

Architects vs social media users

On Weibo, China's popular social media platform, users shared their bemusement at the proposed design, which they claim bears a striking resemblance to a sanitary pad rather than the intended floral motif. While authorities insist the station's architecture is rooted in the city's iconic plum blossoms, online comments suggest otherwise.

Quoted in a BBC report, one user's blunt assessment reads, "This is a giant sanitary pad. It's embarrassing to say it looks like a plum blossom." The viral image has ignited a debate questioning the expertise behind the design, with one user questioning, "Why can we all tell it is a sanitary pad immediately, but the architects can't?"

Nanjing North Railway Station, the new version of the fairy tale "The Emperor's New Clothes", the design takes the idea of plum blossom?
南京北站，新版童话《皇帝的新装》，设计取意梅花，梅花表示很无辜，推友们认为它像什么？#南京 #北站 #梅花 #设计 pic.twitter.com/dKonY0xROj

— Wind Lamp風中燈 (@laguizhong) April 14, 2024

A $20 billion Yuan deal

Despite the controversy surrounding its aesthetics, the North Nanjing train station project is proceeding ahead. Initiated this year, the construction comes with a hefty price tag, reportedly amounting to 20 billion Chinese yuan (approximately 231 billion INR) as per a 2017 report.

This isn't the first time China's architectural choices have raised eyebrows. The CCTV Headquarters in Beijing faced similar scrutiny, earning the moniker "big boxer shorts" due to its distinctive design.