IT‘S a Sunday afternoon in Shenzhen and, with nothing better to do, you decide to take in some history, do a little shopping and dining, and even watch some singing and dancing.

    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 has all these things and more. Taking a slight detour from the road to Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches, you can peek inside an old Soviet MiG jet fighter or sit in a decommissioned freight helicopter.

    In front of the Minsk World building — which resembles a large hotel — there is a magnificent statue representing peace, with a man literally beating a sword into a ploughshare. Inside at the rear of the building, there is plenty of military history on display: missiles, jet fighters, cannon, and more.

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

    It has hosted millions of tourists attracted by the stage shows featuring dancers in military uniform, shopping, dining and the chance to dress up in Soviet naval uniforms to have a photo taken.

    Minsk World is in Shatoujiao, Yantian District. Bus 202 winds from Ke Xue Guan Metro Station and several other stations to the front gate. Admission is 130 yuan per person. Hours 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily.