his may look like an ordinary building but it's made of one of the most expensive woods in the world.

This may look like an ordinary building but it's made of one of the most expensive woods in the world.

The house is built using the rare Phoebe zhennan wood, once used by Chinese emperors, and is estimated to be worth more than 10 million Yuan (£1 million).

It was recently discovered in Hubei province, central China, and is thought to have been built during the Ming Dynasty, between 1368 to 1644,

The 1,600 square food building is believed to have been a civilian home

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Experts say that it is extremely rare to see an entire house made of Phoebe zhennan, which is known for its golden sheen when polished and varnished.

Its name in Chinese roughly translates to 'golden silk wood' .

At least 30 logs, measuring 19 inches in diameter, would have been used to build the modest-looking house.

The entire building has now been moved to a museum and it is due to undergo restoration work.

The rare Phoebe zhennan wood, once polished and varnished, has a golden glow similar to above  (file picture

Emperors in the Ming Dynasty had their thrones, as well as bedroom furniture, made out of the precious wood.

As it's naturally pest resistant, it was also popular for coffins.

It was said to be so valuable that even you if had a large sum of gold, you would find it hard to obtain the wood.

In 2013, a timber merchant tried to buy eight Phoebe zhennan trees using 22 homes as his bargaining chip. His offer was rejected.