Illegal rooftop structures in China: a year in review

By Cecilia Wang, November 19, 2014

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Every once in a while, the world is treated to yet another example of a ridiculous illegal rooftop structure somewhere in China.

As 2014 is now drawing to a close, it’s about time we review the best illegal rooftop structures of the year - before they all get demolished.

A hanging “virgin forest” erected illegally by a Beijing millionaire on top of his penthouse.

A four-story high “bird cage.”

A traditional siheyuan courtyard house constructed on top of a four-story building in Henan.

A two-story chalet in Wuhan, Hubei on top of a 12-story apartment block, complete with plants, a chimney and a fishpond.

A corridor stretches across two buildings in Guangzhou.

Golden pavilion and greenhouse garden atop Jiangbei District government building in Chongqing. It was once dubbed “the most authoritative illegal structure” by residents of the city.

Shanghai shantytown in the sky.

A pavilion in the shape of a samurai helmet perched on top of a Chongqing restaurant.

 

[images via Sina]

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