WINDOW OF THE WORLD

9:00AM - 9:30 PM

(86-755) 2660-8000

Overseas Chinese Town, Nanshan District

Admission: 120 yuan

Bus routes 26, 101, 105, 209, 320 or minibus 419, 423, 451, 433

For many years after China's 'open-door' policies were launched in 1979, the door continued to swing only one way - inward. In contrast to today, very few citizens had an opportunity to leave China. So Shenzhen's first theme park, Window of the World, seemed like a pretty good idea at the time of its establishment ten years ago.

Believe it or not, this place still packs them in. You can spend a few hours here strolling around scaled-down models of the Eiffel tower , and so forth. Granted, this will have the greatest appeal to children, especially as there are a number of rides (all of which require an extra ticket). But there's something that's really great here for adults, too: an enclosed alpine ski slope, complete with snow. For an extra 80 yuan, visitors can ride an inner tube down the 150-metre slope. It's hardly the Swiss Alps, but fun nevertheless.

No one should come here, of course, looking for authenticity. Although most exhibits show a decent attention to detail, anomalies abound. The jungle vines growing on the Pharaoh's Tomb , for instance, are more reminiscent of Cambodia than of Egypt (though the hippie backpackers hanging out at Borubadur are a nice touch). The Island of Manhattan, meanwhile, seems to end at 59th Street, and the skyline has yet to change to reflect the realities of a post 9-11 world. All the bridges are where they should be, but the statue of Liberty is somewhere in the Bronx. Still, it's worth a giggle.

SPLENDID CHINA AND CHINA FOLK CULTURE VILLAGE

9:00AM - 9:30 PM

(86-755) 2660-0626

The Overseas Chinese Town, Nanshan District

Admission: 120 yuan

Bus routes 204, 101, 105, 209, 320 or minibus 423, 451, 433

To get from the world to China requires a short ride down Shennan Avenue . The twin parks here, Splendid China and China Folk Culture Village, do a much better job of presenting a microcosm of society, with obvious reason. Visitors can get a good understanding of the contrasts and similarities among the vast array of cultures that have existed for millennia in the Middle Kingdom. Examples abound of the art, architecture, food, and music from such diverse groups as the Manchus of the northeast, the Uighurs of the west, the Bai , Miao , Dai people of the southern provinces, and a host of others among China's 56 recognised ethnic groups.

Some models, like Lhasa!|s Potala Palace , are remarkably elaborate. There are also some excellent teahouses offering refreshment from China's most famous tea-growing regions, and an outdoor food street with a wide range of goodies. You might need to look out for regular song and dance performances, but you can't miss the plethora of souvenir shops.

While this theme park probably won't long hold the attention of old China hands, most visitors will find it a pleasantly educational and entertaining place to while away an afternoon. It's also pure fun, as one visitor (below) can attest.

MINSK WORLD

Shatoujiao ,

Yantian District

Admission: 110 yuan

(86-755) 2535-5333

Bus Routes 202 & 205,

Mini Bus 430 & 443

When a group of Shenzhen businessmen bought a decommissioned Soviet-era Russian aircraft carrier in the late 1990s, international observers were initially perplexed. Were these guys planning on forming their own navy, and if so, to what end The truth, however, turned out to be a bit stranger when the savvy entrepreneurs turned the massive warship into Minsk World. It is now Shenzhen's most popular tourist attraction.

The Minsk is, to be blunt, a behemoth. According to the brochure, exploring all the decks of the ship would require the visitor to walk around 17 km. We weren't that energetic. But what we did see was both educational and a hoot. Along the ship's corridors are museums featuring Soviet-era propaganda posters, uniforms and military paraphernalia from the ship's heyday, living quarters for both officers and sailors, and theatres featuring ongoing movies about the ship and the Russian navy in general. Our personal favourite was a vast armory featuring what we can only hope are models of nuclear tipped missiles, torpedoes, and other weapons of mass destruction. And of course, there are souvenir shops and snack bars galore (though pierogies and borscht were sadly not present).

Parked in perpetuity on the top deck (which stretches the length of three soccer fields) are several fighter jets and helicopters. But the real show takes place hourly in the afternoons as comely young women in military costumes perform a dancing routine that combines sensuality with martial flair. The entire visit is worth at least a few hours of your day, even if you are not a military buff.

SHENZHEN SEA WORLD

Yantian District , across from Xiaomeisha Beach

9:30a.m.? 6:00p.m.

Dameisha coastline

Bus Routes 103, 360 & 364, Mini Bus 43

(86-755) 2506-2986

This aquarium has more going for it than just a wide variety of marine life, being the temporary home of the native Ukrainian Extreme Diving Troupe . Until October 10, these talented young athletes will continue to defy death three times a day as they display amazing prowess in aquatic acrobatics. Beginning with a synchronized swimming exhibition performed by the group's beautiful young women, the show moves through routines that include whimsical clowning and synchronized diving from 10-metre and 15-metre boards. It ends with a rather hair-raising 25-metre dive performed by Andre, the group's most skilled (and apparently fearless) diver. He's the one in the picture.

While the diving show is the primary reason to visit Sea World, the aquarium itself is well stocked with manatees, killer whales, sharks, seals, and other manners of marine life. Kids will love it.

HAPPY VALLEY (KINGDOM)

9:00AM - 9:30 PM

(86-755) 2694-9239

Nanshan District, next to Crowne Plaza hotel ()

Admission: 120 yuan

Bus routes 204, 101, 105, 209, 320 or minibus 423, 451, 433

Disney arrived in China more than a decade ago; it just can't admit that somebody else beat it to market. But the Happy Valley park (also called Happy Kingdom), is much more than an imitation of Anaheim - home to the first Disney park and the model upon which Hong Kong Disneyland is reputedly being built. Besides the standard copycat fare of attractions like Mount Adventure (Space Mountain), and Cartoon Town (Toon Town), there is a lot here that the California park doesn't have, such the Playa Maya Water Park, complete with artificial beach. Given a few hundred million dollars of investment, which is what is reportedly going to be spent here in the next few years before Disney opens in Hong Kong, this place could well have mainland visitors wondering why they should spend all that money across the bay.

Right now the park, conveniently located behind the Crowne Plaza hotel, is in need of refurbishment. Nevertheless, it's still a fun place to bring the kids, even if hardly anyone speaks Chinese. There is an English map to guide you around, and signs are in English. (Don't bother with the CTS office.) The rides might require waiting in line for awhile on weekends, but that's something else for which Disney is famous, too. At the end of the day, it's not anywhere near Disney's impeccable service standards, but, hey, it's a short ferry ride from Hong Kong to Shekou and then a 20-minute taxi ride to get here. What else do you have planned for the family this weekend