Minsk World

This article was originally published on January 14, 2011, in the Shenzhen Daily.
The information was accurate at that time, and may be outdated now. Use with caution.

The Minsk, a theme park on an aircraft carrier

It's Sunday afternoon in Shenzhen, and with nothing better to do, you decide to go see some history displays, do a little shopping and dining, and even watch some big song-and-dance numbers.

Where will you go? A museum with a gift shop? A theater with a restaurant?

How about a former Soviet aircraft carrier?

That's right, Shenzhen's Minsk World theme park boasts all of those activities and more. On a slight detour from the road to Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches, you can peek inside an old Soviet MiG fighter jet or sit in a decommissioned freight helicopters.

The entrance to Minsk World features a "swords into ploughshares" statue

In front of the Minsk World building (resembling a large hotel) there's a magnificent statue representing Peace, with a man literally beating a sword into a ploughshare. Inside and behind the building, plenty of military history is on display: missiles, jet-fighters, cannons, and more.

The "island" on the Minsk

Across a bridge lies the Minsk itself. Launched in 1978 and decommissioned in 1993, it was bought from Russia by a South Korean businessman, who sold it to the first Minsk World operators in 1998. (A second company took over operations in 2006.)

Ever since, it has hosted millions of tourists attracted by the stage shows (featuring dancers in military uniforms), the shopping, the dining, and the chance to dress up in Soviet naval uniforms to have their photos taken.

A missile hovers over gigantic Russian dolls (?) on the grounds

Minsk World is in Shatoujiao, Yantian; bus 202 winds from Ke Xue Guan Metro Station (and several other stations) to the front gate. Admission is 130 per person; hours 9:30-19:30 daily.

[Check before you go. Last I knew, the Minsk was on shaky financial ground, and in danger of closing.]

GPS Info:

• 22.55177, 114.24010

---

Map:

View Larger Map