Minsk World

The main entrance to Minsk World

The flight deck of the Minsk

The actual craft from the starboard side.

Minsk World (明斯克航母世界 Míngsīkè hángmǔ shìjiè) is a military theme park located in Dapeng Bay, Shatoujiao, Shenzhen, China. It includes the huge former Soviet (later Russian) aircraft carrier Minsk, redesigned as a tourist attraction. The theme park opened on 10 May 2000. As of 2005, it had attracted more than five million visitors and generated 450 million yuan in revenue.^[1]

History

The aircraft carrier Minsk was part of the Soviet Pacific Fleet. It had to be retired as a result of a major accident which could only be repaired at Chernomorski's facility, located in the newly-independent Ukraine. In 1995 it was sold to a South Korean businessman, and later resold to Shenzhen Minsk Aircraft Carrier Industry Co. Ltd., a Chinese company. Until 2006, when the company went bankrupt, Minsk was the centrepiece of a military theme park in Shatoujiao (沙头角) district, Shenzhen called Minsk World. The aircraft carrier was put up for auction on 22 March 2006. No bids at the starting price of 128 million RMB were received, so the carrier was withdrawn from sale.

On 31 May 2006, the Soviet aircraft carrier was finally auctioned off in Shenzhen for 128 million RMB to CITIC Shenzhen,^[2] the current operator. It is currently named CITIC Minsk World.

Facilities

In addition to the island, four of the carrier's decks including the flight deck and hangar deck can be visited. Various aspects of the Minsk, such its living quarters and armament, are set up as exhibits. The staff are dressed in mock military uniforms, while regular choreographed musical performances are held on the flight and hangar decks. It is also possible to take a quick ride around the starboard side of the Minsk via motorboat.

Exhibits onshore include various People's Liberation Army Ground Force equipment.

In 2006, Chinese filmmaker Cheng Xiao-xing made a documentary about "Minsk World", broadcast on Arte Tv.

Static Display

There are a number of military aircraft and armaments on display on the deck and on the mainland area:

• MiG-23
• Mi-24
• Mikoyan MiG-27
• Yakovlev Yak-38
• SA-N-3
• 53-65 torpedo
• AK-630

References

1. ^ Business as usual at sunk Minsk World
2. ^ Former Soviet aircraft carrier sold in China for $16mln

External links

• Official website (Chinese)
• More photos from Minsk World Theme park
• Business as usual at sunk Minsk World

Coordinates: 22°33′14″N 114°14′13″E / 22.553772°N 114.237009°E / 22.553772; 114.237009