Step aside, Sydney. The Harbin Opera House rises from the wetlands of the Heilongjiang province as though it were sculpted by wind. It blends seamlessly with the environment.
When not obscured by fog, the Shanghai Tower stands out as one of the most beautiful skyscrapers in the world. The 127-story glass pillar appears to twist toward the sky.
The Han Show Theater's squat, paper-lantern shape is made beautiful by an intricate, red mesh. The building's LED bulbs reflect on the lake at night, lighting up Wuhan, Hubei.
The Wuhan Revolution Museum opened in 2011 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the rebellion that topped the Qing Dynasty. The V-shaped center cost $50 million to build.
Beijing's Galaxy SOHO is a retail and office complex composed of swirling, egg-shaped masses. There are no corners or sharp transitions, giving it a futuristic vibe.
The Shanghai World Financial Center marks a departure from the norm with its elegant simplicity. A skywalk on the 100th floor provides unparalleled views of the financial capital.
The headquarters for Shanghai gaming company Giant Interactive Group look torn from a video game. The colossal structure works with the environment, instead of fighting it.
The once flush-with-cash town of Ordos has been called the world's largest ghost town. Its masterpiece, the Art & City Museum, appears to float over a waving sand hill.
Created by famed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, the Bird's Nest stadium served as the centerpiece of the 2008 Summer Olympics Games. Its upkeep costs $11 million a year.
You won't find a gold dome on top of the capital building in China's Zhejiang province. Instead, a park sits above the Congress Center Hangzhou's steely structure.
Architect: Peter Ruge, Matthias Matschewski, and Nicole Kubath
Year completed: 2010
Source: ArchDaily