Gate to the East

The Gate to the East, also known as the Gate of the Orient, (simplified Chinese: 东方之门; traditional Chinese: 東方之門; pinyin: dōng fāng zhī mén) is the second tallest building in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China behind Suzhou IFS. It is intended to be a symbol of a gateway to the city which emphasizes the city's continuing significance in modern China. With a height of 301.8 metres (990 ft), the building is located in the heart of Suzhou's China–Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) district. Construction began in 2004 and was completed in 2016 at a cost of $700 million USD. Its location precisely indicates the intersection of the historical east-west-axis of Suzhou Old Town with the west bank of Jinji Lake.

Gate to the East (东方之门)
Gate to the East in Suzhou
Gate to the East is located in China
Gate to the East
Location within China
Alternative namesGate of the Orient or The Pants Building
General information
StatusCompleted
Typecommercial, transportation
LocationSuzhou, Jiangsu, China
Coordinates31°19′01″N 120°40′44″E
Construction startedJune 7, 2004
CompletedMay 13, 2016
Cost$700,000,000 (USD) (Budget)
Height301.8 m (990.2 ft)
Technical details
Size340,000 square metres (3,700,000 sq ft)
Floor count68
Floor area450,000 m2 (4,800,000 sq ft)
Lifts/elevators6
Design and construction
Architect(s)RMJM
References
[1]
The Gate of the Orient on the west bank of Jinji Lake

Criticism

Though its design was intended to evoke a gateway, the Gate to the East has been subjected to mockery by many Chinese netizens and western mass media as well, as "resembling a pair of trousers".[2][3][4] The landmark has thus led to a slew of internet parodies.[4]

Transport


See also

References
  1. "Gate of the Orient, Suzhou, China – Portfolio". RMJM. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
  2. "British-designed skyscraper resembles big pants, say angry Chinese". Telegraph. 2012-09-04. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
  3. "$700 million skyscraper 'resembles a pair of pants'". News.com.au. 2012-09-05. Archived from the original on 2012-11-17. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
  4. "Netizens: New China building is 'pants' | CNN Travel". Travel.cnn.com. 2012-09-07. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
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