In pictures: China bans 'bizarre' architecture

The Chinese government has issued a new directive banning "bizarre architecture", and criticising some of the "oversized, xenocentric, weird" buildings in the country.

China has seen a number of architectural gems springing up in recent years, including one building shaped like a teapot and another that has been likened to a pair of trousers.

Under the new directive, buildings are to be "economical, functional, aesthetically pleasing" and "environmentally friendly".

Here is a selection of the more adventurous buildings that have been developed.

A view of Guangzhou CircleImage copyrightLiu Jiao / Photoshot
Image captionThe Guangzhou Circle was designed by Italian architect Joseph di Pasquale and opened in 2013. It is the world's tallest circle-shaped building at 138m and stands on the banks of the Pearl River.
Workers stand next to a building shaped like a clay teapot in WuxiImage copyrightCarlos Barria / Reuters
Image captionThis teapot-shaped building in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, has perhaps the most outlandish design. It was originally designed as a sales office and now includes an exhibition centre.
CCTV Television Headquarters building, BeijingImage copyrightPrisma Bildagentur AG / Alamy
Image captionThe headquarters of China Central Television (CCTV) was named the Best Tall Building Worldwide from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in 2013, yet some have called it "big pants" due to its resemblance to a pair of trousers.
Headquarters of the People's DailyImage copyrightJohn Sun / Eyepress / Photoshot
Image captionThe building of China's state-run newspaper People's Daily has often been remarked on for its phallic appearance, especially when seen as here with scaffolding in place. The 150m-tall tower is situated close to the CCTV building in Beijing's business district.
Phoenix TowersImage copyrightChetwoods /Rex / Shutterstock
Image captionThe Phoenix Towers in Wuhan are to be one kilometre tall and are scheduled to be completed in the next couple of years. Their exteriors will be covered in solar panels.
A 301.8m building named The Gate of the Orient in SuzhouImage copyrightChinaFotoPress / Getty Images
Image captionThe Gate of the Orient was completed in 2014 in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. Like the CCTV building, it too has been compared to a pair of trousers.
Sunrise East Kempinski Hotel near the Yanqi Lake in the Huairou District of BeijingImage copyrightXinhua / Alamy Stock Photo
Image captionThe Sunrise East Kempinski Hotel is set near the Yanqi Lake in the Huairou District of Beijing.
Sheraton Hot Spring Resort, rubber ducks at the front, Taihu Lake, Huzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaImage copyrightAlamy
Image captionAnother dramatic looking hotel is the Sheraton Hot Spring Resort on Taihu Lake, Huzhou, which comes complete with rubber ducks.
A general view shows the City Library (left) and the Ordos Museum building in the city centre of OrdosImage copyrightMark Ralston / AFP
Image captionThis Inner Mongolian city of Ordos is known as a ghost town due to the low population level, yet it boasts two architectural gems, the City Library (left) and the Ordos Museum.