Bizarre floating building in China becomes an internet sensation

Bizarre footage apparently showing a five-storey apartment building cruising down the Yangtze River in China has made waves on social media.

The unusual sight on Saturday turned out to be a large floating restaurant being pushed along the river by two smaller boats to new location in Chongqing.

The eatery, named Impression Jiangjin, had to be relocated by local authorities because it was causing too much pollution to the river, according to Chinese media.

Bizarre footage showing a five-storey building cruising down the Yangtze River in Chongqing municipality, south-west China on Saturday has made waves on social media

It turned out to be a large floating restaurant being pushed along the river by two smaller boats

It turned out to be a large floating restaurant being pushed along the river by two smaller boats

The eatery, named Impression Jiangjin (pictured), had to be relocated by local authorities because it was causing too much pollution to the river, according to Chinese media

The eatery, named Impression Jiangjin (pictured), had to be relocated by local authorities because it was causing too much pollution to the river, according to Chinese media

Video of the incident shows the massive structure – with a red roof and open balconies like an apartment building – being propelled by two tow boats, slowly travelling along China’s famed waterway.

Such floating restaurants have recently been banned in Jiangjin district over pollution concerns, according to Chongqing maritime authorities.

It is said that customers would leave large amounts of garbage on the shore of the river after meals, causing serious pollution to surrounding areas and aquatic life.

Video of the incident shows the massive structure - with a red roof and open balconies like an apartment building - being propelled by two tows, travelling along China's famed waterway

Video of the incident shows the massive structure – with a red roof and open balconies like an apartment building – being propelled by two tows, travelling along China’s famed waterway

It is said that customers would leave large amounts of garbage on the shore of the river after meals, causing serious pollution to surrounding areas and aquatic life

It is said that customers would leave large amounts of garbage on the shore of the river after meals, causing serious pollution to surrounding areas and aquatic life

To protect the segment of Yangtze River running through the city, Chongqing’s municipality government started a year-long inspection over local dinner cruises since 2017, according to CGTN. 

A total of eight restaurants – including this eatery – was ordered to halt operation before June 16 this year and evacuate the Jiangjin section of the Yangtze River, according to Jiangjin Daily News citing a government notice. 

Footage of the peculiar sight left residents and net users stunned on Chinese social media.

A total of eight restaurants - including Jiangjin Impression - was ordered to halt operation before June 16 this year and evacuate the Jiangjin section of the Yangtze River 

A total of eight restaurants – including Jiangjin Impression – was ordered to halt operation before June 16 this year and evacuate the Jiangjin section of the Yangtze River 

To protect the segment of Yangtze River running through the city (pictured), Chongqing's municipality government started a year-long inspection over local dinner cruises since 2017

To protect the segment of Yangtze River running through the city (pictured), Chongqing’s municipality government started a year-long inspection over local dinner cruises since 2017

‘This is beyond the bounds of my imagination!’ one highly rated comment read. 

‘This is what you’d call “epic moving”,’ another said. 

‘An immovable object is now floating along a river … amazing!’ one user said.

‘Chongqing is really a magical city,’ another said.

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