Opened in the new millennium, the Minsk World military museum is one of Chinas most unique points of interest and one of two theme parks on the globe to be on board a former aircraft carrier. Attracting nearly 5 million guests annually from across the world, this impressive aircraft carrier turned museum is one of Shenzhens most frequented tourist spots having earned 450 million yuan a year since 2005. Located on the coast of Sha Tau Kok, the museum has been constructed on a 1972 Soviet aircraft carrier which belonged to the Pacific Fleet of the Navy of the Soviet Union in the late 70s. Retired since the end of the Cold War, this impressive vessel was converted into a theme park almost two decades later and is now considered one of the countrys foremost institutions in homeland defence education and popular science edification. As the base of Guangdong Military Popular Science Education and National Popular Science Education, the venue consists of two sections with the Minsk Square on the mainland and the Minsk aircraft carrier on the ocean bed.
Linked via a military style overpass 98.5 yards in length and nearly 11 yards in width, the Minsk aircraft carrier is spread out over an area of 30,000 square metres. Housing meticulously maintained Mi-24 military helicopters and MiG-23 fighter aircraft on the first deck, the Minsks second deck consists of specially reconstructed naval personnel living quarters. Other highlights include exhibits on aviation, space flight and sailing while guests can also participate in simulated warfare activities with state-of- the- art military weaponry. Martial arts displays by the honour guard are also featured on board the Minsk which also hosts traditional Russian cultural performances on a regular basis.
The Minsk Square on the other hand provides guests with more conventional tourist activities such as shopping and entertainment within its 80,000km2 enclave. Divided into three quarters, the first section named Front Square features a guard of honour complete with sentries and the famed sculpture dubbed 'Turn Swords into Ploughs'. The Back Square offers adrenaline pumping naval battle simulations and military entertainment items while the air base and tank positions are also housed within this sector. The multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier Centre is the third section and contains trendy shopping venues and restaurants where guests can unwind and relax after a thrilling day of sightseeing.
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