New Century Global Center, Commercial building in Tianfu New Area, Chengdu, China

The New Century Global Center is a multipurpose complex in Tianfu New Area, Chengdu, with a 500-by-400-metre base and 100-metre height, covering 1.7 million square metres of floor space. Its facade is a curved grid of grey-blue glass panels with horizontal white bands, dipping at the ends and rising to a central peak; gold lettering reads "GLOBAL CENTER" beneath the Chinese characters 环球中心. A striped, dome-like form protrudes at centre-right.

Developed by Deng Hong's Entertainment and Travel Group, the complex was to open in March 2013 with the Global Fortune 500 conference, but his arrest on corruption charges moved the event to the Shangri-La Hotel in Chengdu. The opening was delayed to 22 August 2013 and scaled back after more than 50 local officials were detained in overlapping investigations.

The name combines the Chinese words for "new century" and "global center". Inside, a Mediterranean village with a Christian church and a pirate ship sit beside the Paradise Island Water Park, whose 5,000 m² artificial beach faces a 150 by 40 m screen. At night a stage extends over the pool for concerts, with a food court on a stand overlooking the water.

The complex is served by Jincheng Plaza station on Line 1 of the Chengdu Metro, which connects directly to the building. Its base measures 500 by 400 metres, so distances inside are long; allow time to cross between the shopping area, the water park and the hotel blocks. The InterContinental Hotel occupies 1,009 rooms in 6 by 8 storey blocks around the edge.

Inside the building sits Paradise Island Water Park with a 5,000-square-meter (54,000-square-foot) artificial beach and a 150-meter (490-foot) LED screen displaying simulated weather conditions. Visitors can swim and lie on the sand here while artificial waves roll and the sky above them changes color.