12 photos that give a disorienting look at the “weird” buildings of China

Credit: Andy Yeung
Credit: Andy Yeung

Photographer Andy Yeung wishes everyone would look up from their phones more often and appreciate the beauty of their own cities. With his series “Look Up”, he wants to show viewers exactly what they’re missing.

This February, the Chinese central government demanded an end to all mainland construction of buildings that are “oversized” or “weird” — a law that will surely change the future skylines of major Chinese cities. Yeung’s dizzying and unique images of the varying architecture in Hong Kong — and other cities throughout China — explore the country’s skyscrapers and public housing that were built before this new state rule was in place.

With over 300 skyscrapers in the metropolitan area, Hong Kong remains Yeung’s favorite city to photograph. “When it comes to architecture, Hong Kong is a city where old meets new,” he told Business Insider. “It gives the city a unique character.”

Ahead, 12 disorienting images of Chinese buildings that even the locals might be missing.

The Four Seasons hotel in Guangzhou, China is inside the Guangzhou International Finance Center — a 103-story-high skyscraper that is the 15th-tallest building in the world.

the-four-seasons-hotel-in-guangzhou-china-is-inside-the-guangzhou-international-finance-center--a-103-story-high-skyscraper-that-is-the-15th-tallest-building-in-the-world

Credit: Andy Yeung

There are a number of housing developments like this one in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong.

there-are-a-number-of-housing-developments-like-this-one-in-quarry-bay-hong-kong

Credit: Andy Yeung

The apartments in Macau, China are similar.

the-apartments-in-macau-china-are-similar

Credit: Andy Yeung

Built in 1975, Hong Kong’s public housing development Lai Tak Tsuen, consists of three separate buildings.

built-in-1975-hong-kongs-public-housing-development-lai-tak-tsuen-consists-of-three-separate-buildings

Credit: Andy Yeung

The stadium inside the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen, China, can hold up to 20,000 people, and hosts table tennis, swimming, and soccer competitions.

the-stadium-inside-the-shenzhen-bay-sports-center-in-shenzhen-china-can-hold-up-to-20000-people-and-hosts-table-tennis-swimming-and-soccer-competitions

Credit: Andy Yeung

The Ping Shek Estate in Hong Kong consists of seven different buildings, and houses over 12,000 people.

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the-ping-shek-estate-in-hong-kong-consists-of-seven-different-buildings-and-houses-over-12000-people

Credit: Andy Yeung

 

The Nina Tower in Hong Kong is made up of two buildings, one of which is 80 stories high. The other is 42 stories.

the-nina-tower-in-hong-kong-is-made-up-of-two-buildings-one-of-which-is-80-stories-high-the-other-is-42-stories

Credit: Andy Yeung

The Choi Wan Estate in Hong Kong consists of 16 buildings.

Credit: Andy Yeung

The Choi Wan Estate was built in 1979, and houses close to 18,000 residents.

the-choi-wan-estate-was-built-in-1979-and-houses-close-to-18000-residents

Credit: Andy Yeung

 

This shot, of the Fok Cheong Building in Quarry Bay, won Yeung two separate photography awards.

this-shot-of-the-fok-cheong-building-in-quarry-bay-won-yeung-two-separate-photography-awards

Credit: Andy Yeung

Inside the China Hong Kong City buildings are offices, a shopping mall, and a luxury hotel.

inside-the-china-hong-kong-city-buildings-are-offices-a-shopping-mall-and-a-luxury-hotel

Credit: Andy Yeung