What a blast! Explosions send hotel and passenger terminal plummeting to the ground to make way for new skyscraper

 

For years they were landmarks that towered above residents of Chongqing, southwest China, but yesterday it only took a few seconds for them to crumble to the ground.

The Three Gorges Hotel and the 32-storey passenger terminal of Chongqing Port were both toppled at the same time in controlled explosions.

Awe-struck citizens watched from a distance as the landscape of their city changed before their eyes.

Once all the dust and debris is cleared a skyscraper incorporating a transportation hub, tourism, trade and business will be built as part of a project to improve the Chaotianmen area.

Down in seconds: The Three Gorges Hotel, left, and the passenger terminal of Chongqing Port are toppled in explosions in Chongqing, southwest China

Explosions: The 32-storeyed landmark passenger terminal and the hotel, face the city's Chaotianmen Square

Spectacle: Residents watch the two buildings, being demolished to make way for a planned skyscraper

Flattened: They were demolished by directional blasting on yesterday. A new building with taking in transportation hub, tourism, trade and business will be built as part of a project to improve the Chaotianmen area