Demolition Order Issued for Viral 10-Story Chinese House; Owner Vows to Fight in Court and Rebuild
A viral pyramid-shaped house in China's Guizhou Province has been demolished for lacking construction permits, but its owner vows to fight the order in court and rebuild. The 10-story structure, which became a tourist attraction for its fan
Demolition Order Issued for Viral 10-Story Chinese House; Owner Vow to Fight in Court and Rebuild After Being Declared Illegal Construction
On May 22, foreign media reported that a bizarre 10-story pyramid-shaped house in Guizhou Province, southwestern China, has been ordered demolished following years of dispute over illegal construction.
The house stood prominently above rice fields in Xing village, becoming a small tourist attraction that drew numerous travelers and media attention due to its fantasy-like appearance resembling the worlds of acclaimed Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki.
The unusual structure was built by Chen Tianming, 43, who spent over 8 years expanding his family's original single-story stone house into a complex high-rise structure complete with staircases, balconies, and wooden frameworks resembling a maze, costing approximately 200,000 yuan or about 960,000 baht.
However, on May 20, local officials demolished nearly the entire building in just a few hours, leaving only the foundation of the original structure. Authorities stated the house lacked proper construction permits and posed safety hazards.
Chen told media he felt no regret despite the destruction of his years of work and does not blame himself for being unable to protect it.
Reports indicate that authorities have demolished most structures in the area since 2018 to prepare for tourism resort development in a region famous for its terraced rice fields and natural mountain beauty.
Chen refused to relocate and continued expanding his house in 2024, when it was officially declared "illegal construction."
Despite the demolition, Chen insists he will pursue legal action to prove the demolition itself was unlawful. "If I can prove the demolition was illegal, I still have the opportunity to rebuild it again," he stated.
