Image source: The Telegraph
Image source: The Telegraph

In 2003, China had began building a replica of the Pentagon.

The replica is much bigger than the Virginia headquarters of the US defense department, but.. the purpose of this building is very different than the U.S. version because it is actually a shopping mall. “Wait.. what!?” Yes, you read that right.

The_Pentagon_January_2008
The Pentagon, headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, taken from an airplane in January 2008. Photo by Wikipedia/David B. Gleason

It is called The Shanghai Pentagonal Mart, sprawling across 70 acres. Bigger than the U.S. Pentagon which spans only about 34 acres. The building cost over $200 million which constructed in 2009.

A spokesman from Shanghai Megamall, the owner of the building, said that “The design of the project was inspired by the appearance of the Pentagon. This building is not only impressive externally, but it is actually a very smart design. The logistics mean that people can circulate freely inside.”

The United States Pentagon was designed so that employees can reach any office inside on foot in just under seven minutes.

Shanghai Pentagonal Mart. Screenshot from BI/Lamar Salter
Shanghai Pentagonal Mart. Screenshot from BI/by Lamar Salter
Shanghai Pentagonal Mart. Screenshot from BI/Lamar Salter
Shanghai Pentagonal Mart. Screenshot from BI/by Lamar Salter

One anonymous internet user, upon seeing the pictures of the building jokingly said: “Nice copy. Next up is Dubai’s tallest building”.

SHARE

3 COMMENTS

  1. Aka nga “imitation is the best form of flattery”. I wish China imitates US softpower rather than being a big nuisance bully.

Comments are closed.