New Century Global Center is not just a shopping mall, but a true man-made city under one roof. Opened in 2013, the complex immediately went down in history as the largest building in the world by total floor area — 1.76 million square meters. For comparison: inside this giant could fit three Pentagons or 20 Sydney Opera Houses.
The dimensions are staggering: 500 meters long, 400 meters wide, and 100 meters tall. That`s 18 floors behind a glass façade that conceals an entire world — from a tropical beach to an ice skating rink, from luxury boutiques to university lecture halls.
The architectural design of the complex was shaped by the legendary Zaha Hadid — the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Her futuristic style is recognizable in the smooth lines of the façade, reminiscent of silver waves.
Before New Century Global Center appeared in Chengdu, the world`s largest shopping mall was the famous Dubai Mall, with a total area of about 1.1 million square meters. It was this record that New Century Global Center surpassed in 2013, becoming the new world record holder.
Paradise Island Water Park: Eternal Summer
The main treasure of the Global Center complex is the year-round Paradise Island Water Park with a real artificial beach covering 5,000 square meters. Sand is brought here, waves are created, and overhead stretches a giant LED screen measuring 150 by 40 meters, imitating the sky — with clouds, sunsets, and even stars. The sun never sets inside the complex.
The water park can accommodate up to 6,000 visitors at a time. The water temperature in the wave pool is comfortable all year round, and for thrill-seekers there are exciting slides: "Tornado," "Water Fortress," high-speed drops, and other attractions. Around the pool — sun loungers, palm trees, and relaxation areas that create the full illusion of a resort.
Hotels and Accommodation at Global Center
Inside the Global Center complex there are two five-star hotels, the main one being the InterContinental with 1,009 rooms. The rooms are located on several eight-story blocks around the perimeter of the building, and many offer views of the indoor "sea" and water park. It`s a unique experience — waking up in your room, looking out at the waves and tropical vegetation, and just a few minutes later taking the elevator down to breakfast with a view of the artificial beach.
Shopping: 2,000 Stores
The retail area of the complex is about 400,000 square meters. Over 2,000 stores operate here: from mass-market brands to luxury boutiques. The floors are organized by theme: sportswear, fashion, children`s goods, electronics and gadgets. Here you can buy everything — from souvenirs to the latest smartphone models and designer clothing.
Entertainment: Cinema, Sports, Art
In addition to the water park and shops, the complex offers dozens of other entertainment options:
• IMAX cinema with 14 screens — one of the largest in China.
• Olympic-size ice rink — a real ice rink where you can skate any day of the year.
• Game zones and arcades — for children and adults.
• Theater with 1,000 seats and a concert hall — hosting shows, performances, and appearances by world-class stars.
• Art gallery — permanent and temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.
Dining: A Culinary World
Dozens of restaurants and cafés operate in the complex — from quick bites to exquisite dinners. Both Sichuan cuisine (famous for its spiciness), Cantonese, European, and Japanese are represented here. The restaurants on the upper floors with panoramic views of the entire complex deserve special attention — it feels like you`re dining inside a futuristic city.
Lichao Aviation Museum
Inside New Century Global Center, in the western part of the complex (Zone W3), there is a unique place — the Lichao Aviation Museum. This is China`s first private aviation museum, which opened its doors to visitors in 2019. Its area is about 5,000 square meters, which is an impressive figure for a museum of this type, especially considering it is located inside a record-breaking building.
What You Can See
The museum`s main attraction is real airplanes and helicopters that you can not only look at but also touch with your hands. The collection includes both rare historical machines and legendary models familiar to anyone interested in aviation.
Among the exhibits is the PT-17, known as the "Flying Tiger." These planes participated in flights over the Himalayas during World War II, delivering supplies from India to China. Next to it you can see the legendary P-51 Mustang — a fighter considered one of the best piston fighters in aviation history. The Soviet Yak-18 (in its Chinese version — the "Chujiao-6") also has its place in the exhibition. This training aircraft was license-produced in China and became one of the most numerous in Chinese aviation.
Particular delight among visitors to the Lichao Aviation Museum is caused by the Boeing 737 cockpit, which you can enter and feel like a pilot or passenger. For children and adults, there are flight simulators where you can try to control an airplane.
Interactive displays demonstrate the physics of flight — for example, the Bernoulli effect, which explains how a heavy machine lifts off the ground. There are also zones where you can launch a "rocket" or a "hot air balloon" — simple but fascinating experiments for the whole family.
Why This Place Is Special
The creators of the Lichao Aviation Museum describe their concept as "seeing, hearing, touching, and even tasting aviation." Unlike many classical museums, where exhibits are behind glass or barriers, everything here is built on interaction. Visitors are allowed to touch the planes, sit in the cockpits, and turn the controls.
Practical Information about New Century Global Center
• How to get there: Metro, Jincheng Plaza station (Line 1), the exit leads directly into the complex.
• Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00.
• Admission: Free (tickets only for the water park, about 200–250 yuan).
• Recommended time: 3–5 hours (or you could spend the whole day).
The contrast is particularly striking: outside Chengdu may have gray skies and cold weather, while inside New Century Global Center — eternal summer, palm trees, waves, and smiling people. If you`re traveling with children, the water park and ice rink will be the main highlights. For shopping lovers — paradise for several hours. And for those who just want to be amazed by the scale — the building itself is worth coming to see this city under a glass roof.
