Authorities say the design of the North Nanjing station takes inspiration from plum blossoms, which the city is known for.

But online, others are pointing out its resemblance to something rather different - a sanitary pad.

“This is a giant sanitary pad. It’s embarrasing to say it looks like a plum blossom,” said one comment on social media site Weibo.

The topic has generated millions of views across various Chinese social media platforms.

“Why can we all tell it is a sanitary pad immediately, but the architects can’t?” one Weibo user said.