Shenzhen Travel Blog

Minsk World is situated on the shore of Sha Tau Kok, Yantian, Shenzhen. Minsk World is one of only two theme parks in the world that are based on a real aircraft carrier. The other aircraft carrier themed park also in China, it is in Tianjin city to be specific.

Shenzhen Minsk World park is built around the base of Minsk, a second-generation Soviet aircraft carrier, one of the most outstanding in the history of routine aircraft carriers. China bought the retired aircraft carrier from Soviet and turn it into a tourism attraction in Shenzhen.

Minsk was built in 1972 and was first listed as part of the Soviet Union Navy Pacific Fleet in 1978. It was retired after the Cold War and sold to Korea in 1993. In June of 1998, Minsk was purchased by the Minsk Company for the purpose of creating a military-themed tourist attraction. In the past ten years, its development has evolved, taking it from a mere theme park to a center for popular science education as well as national defense education. It is praised for being both a National Popular Science Education Base and a Guangdong Military Popular Science Education Base. Once composed of only the Minsk Aircraft Carrier, the park has expanded. Now, Minsk World is made up of two parts: the Minsk Aircraft Carrier (at sea) and Minsk Square (on land). These sections are connected by a military bridge that is 10 meters (10.9 yards) wide and 90 meters (98.5 yards) long.

The Minsk Aircraft Carrier covers an area of 30,000 square meters (7.4 acres). The well-known Soviet MiG-23 aircraft-fighter and Mi-24 military helicopters are on display on the first deck, while on the second deck, the crew’s living area has been rebuilt to give visitors a glimpse of the conditions of naval life. There are also exhibitions on space flight, sailing and aviation, and visitors can take part in activities, such as mimic warfare, that allow them to experience the excitement of operating hi-tech military weapons. Russian traditional performances and martial performances of the honor guard round out the list of attractions available on the ship.

Back on land, Minsk Square also offers a variety of entertainment for visitors, from historical re-enactments to shopping and dining. The Square encompasses 80, 0000 square kilometers (19.8 acres) and is divided into three sections: the Back Square, the Front Square and the Aircraft Carrier Center. When entering the Front Square, visitors are greeted by the sight of the guard of honor, flanked by sentries on both sides. This Square features a sculpture called ‘Turn Swords into Ploughs’ which calls for deep thought about the hard-earned peace. While the Back Square emphasizes military entertainment, featuring a soul stirring naval battle simulation that is not to be missed. The tank position and air base are also located there. The third section of Minsk Square is the Aircraft Carrier Center, a multi-functional building with a distinctive architectural style. Here, guests can do some shopping and have a relaxing dinner to complete their visit.

Shenzhen Minsk World combines a stunning landscape and a distinctly military atmosphere. While this may seem a bit odd, however it provides a strangely enjoyable opportunity to explore military life and history. Minsk World is located in Yantian district. Together with other famous travel distinations in Yantian district, like the Sea World, Dameisha Beach Park and Xiaomeisha Resort, Minsk World is an integral component of the beautiful scenery of the eastern beach of Shenzhen City.

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We went to the OCT LOFT Shenzhen (Overseas Chinese City Creative Culture Park) this Saturday. Hoping to buy some creative cultural stuff for birthday gift, but found that T-Street Creative Bazaar is not held every weekend in the Overseas Chinese City Creative Culture Park (OCT-LOFT) in Shenzhen. Anyone interested, please keep in mind the T-Street Creative Bazaar is held monthly in the OCT Creative Culture Park, the first weekend of every month.

It can sometimes be hard to believe that the United Nations would declare Shenzhen to be a world design city, considering how visual chaos seems to be the norm here. OCT Loft changed my mind, after visiting Shenzhen OCT Loft, I began to realize how Shenzhen is called a design city in the world. The OCT LOFT Shenzhen (Overseas Chinese City Creative Culture Park) is an old factory area turned art-and-design district, tucked away inside the posh, verdant enclave of Overseas Chinese Town. Artspace/bar Idutang is especially worth visiting, if not for its nightly performances by independent and avant-garde musicians, then for its peaceful outdoor terrace and large drink menu. T-Street Creative Bazaar each month, local designers, vintage collectors and zakka enthusiasts set up stalls in a weekend craft market. Nearby, a design bookshop, a few commercial and non-profit galleries, more good bars and a few tasty restaurants round out the attractions. In addition, OCT-LOFT was chosen as a venue for the third Shenzhen International Cultural Industries Fair, OCT-LOFT was awarded the title of ‘National Demonstration Park of Cultural Industry’ by the Ministry of Culture.

How to go to OCT LOFT Shenzhen (Overseas Chinese City Creative Culture Park)?

This time we took the bus # 113 and got off at the Splendid China, went pass the City Inn from there will take about 10 minutes by foot to get the OCT Loft. Actually, to take the metro is much convenient, metro line 1, Qiaochengdong station (OCT East subway station), take exit A，turn right on Enping Street and walk for around five minutes.

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Shilin Stone Forest China (also known as The Stone Forest China) is a notable set of karst formations located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, China.

Shilin Stone Forest China lies in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, at the middle of Yunnan Province. Shilin Stone Forest is a bit more than 70 kilometers from Kunming. The climate belongs to the subtropical low latitude monsoon climate, with an average temperature of 16℃. It’s a large-scale comprehensive tourism area incorporating natural scenery, national customs, leisure and holiday, and scientific research.

There are a lot of tall rocks emanated from the ground, like stalagmites. Amazingly many of these stones and rocks look like trees made of stone, thus it is called Stone Forest or Shilin in Chinese Pinyin.

In 2007, Shilin Forest Stone was declared as World Heritage by UNESCO. The karst topography is among the most unique geological landscapes in the world. With well-structured stone teeth, peak clusters, water-eroded caves, karst lakes, waterfalls and underground rivers, it’s a typical plateau karst ecological system and a solid panoramic picture. Go to Shilin Forest Stone China you can appreciate the fantastic stones formed 270 million years ago.

Yunnan Shilin Stone Forest area of 1100 square kilometers and having a protection area of 350 square kilometer, there are all kinds of unique natural sceneries. See bellow site map of Shilin Stone Forest:

According to the lay-out and features of the scenery, the scenic area is divided into eight sub areas: the Stone Forest Scenic Area, Heisongyan (Naigu) Stone Forest, Zhiyundong Cave, Changhu Lake, Feilong Waterfall (Dadieshui) Scenic Area, Kuishan National Forest Park, Yuehu Lake, and Qifengdong Cave. Among these, the Stone Forest Scenic Area (the key scenic area), Heisongyan Scenic Area, Feilong Waterfall Scenic Area and Changhu Lake Scenic Area have been developed and opened to tourists. In the Stone Forest Scenic Area, the key area, over 100 scenic spots familiar to tourists such as “Shilinshengjing (the highlight of the Stone Forest)”, “Qianjunyifa (in a most dangerous condition)”, “Phoenix Combing Wings” and Ashima are all here. Entering the scenic area is like entering the tunnel of time. You can feel the great works of Nature. Traveling in the maze below the sea, you can see barranca and stone peaks, just like a lively and grand natural painting.

In addition, there are more sights and scenic areas to be developed gradually for tourists.

The charm of the Stone Forest lies not only in the natural sights but also in the customs of the Sani people of Shilin County, for it is “the hometown of Ashima”. In the endless stone peaks and red earth of Shilin, there are also precious national and historical culture resources. Sani People, a branch of Yi, have lived here for over 2000 years and are famous for their diligence, bravery and warmth. Yi culture typical of Ashima has rich connotations and great influence. What Ashima represents is not only the image of Shilin, but also that of Yunnan tourism. In Ashima culture, the most influential are “one poem”, “one film”, “one song” and “one festival”. The ancient narrative poem Ashima written in Yi characters has been translated into over 20 languages; adapted from this poem is China’s first stereo film Ashima which enjoys a great reputation in the world; the Sani song Please Stay here, You Guest from afar is famous in the world; and the Torch Festival of Yi, which falls on the 24^th of the 6^th month of the lunar year and incorporates wrestling and bullfighting, is dubbed as the “Oriental Carnival”.

Shilin Stone Forest Website: http://en.chinastoneforest.com/

Shilin Stone Forest Contact Phone #: 0871-7711439 Fax: 0871-7711778

Shilin Stone Forest Address: STONE FOREST SCENIC AREA ADMINISTRATION BUREAU, SHILIN, YUNNAN Post Code: 652211

E-mail:ynshilin@126.com

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Sea World is a famous place in Shekou, even Shenzhen. Not only because of the international bar street, but the big Minghua Ship. The Minghua Ship was named ANCEEVILLA before. On August 7, 1962, the Minghua boat first launched in French as luxury passenger yacht. The French President de Gaulle attended the opening ceremony of lunching Minghua Ship that day.

In 1973, China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO in short) bought ANCEEVILLA from French in Malta and changed its name from ANCEEVILLA to Minghua.

In 1983, Shekou Industrial Zone signed the agreement of transfer of the Minghua Ship with COSCO at the price of 3 million. Shekou Industrial Zone Co.,Ltd belongs to China Merchants who first developed the Shekou. Until today, a large area of Shekou belongs to the China Merchants.

The Minghua Ship has 9 floors, 263 guests rooms, the biggest dining hall at the boat can hold 500 people at the same time. It has 2 swimming pools, 2 bars and more than 200 beds. However the Minghua Ship might have been remodeled, extra facilities might have been equipped.

Additional info about Shenzhen Sea world

Sea World Shenzhen comprises the Minghua yacht and the Sea World Plaza. Minghua yacht runs hotels, theme bars and restaurants from all over the world. Sea world plaza adopted the style of European plaza design and provides enclosed spacious room for socializing, entertaining and relaxing. The whole plaza consists of different restaurants of different flavors and bars from all over the world. There are music, dance, food, culture and art crafts from different regions all over the world in Shenzhen Sea World.

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