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China Aviation Museum

Opened to the public in 1989, this is the largest aviation museum in Asia. It displays 263 aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, air-defense weaponry and radar, bombs, aerial cameras and some 700 examples of military equipment. Some artifacts qualify as state relics and official treasures of world aviation.

In presenting its wealth of historic items, the museum provides an insight to the development of aviation in the new China, and also traces the growth of the People's Liberation Army Air Force.

Part of the museum's aim, apart from displaying a substantial number of aircraft, is to recall aviation history, popularize aeronautical science, strengthen exchanges with foreign countries and promote the development of aeronautics and technology. Highlights for visitors include the chance to sit in the aircraft regularly used by Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou Enlai. Also on view is the same type of 'plane used by deputy chairman Lin Biao which crashed en route to Mongolia.

The Exhibition Hangar houses 88 aircraft of various type and size. They include a Rosamonde, named after the English name of Song Qingling, wife of Sun Yat-sen. Visitors can also see the Y-5 aircraft from which premier Zhou's ashes were scattered in 1976, and a replica of an AH-64 Apache Helicopter.

- China Aviation Museum.
Open: 8.30am-5pm.
Admission: 35 yuan per person.
Datangshan, Changping.
Bus 912 from Andingmen Subway Station.
Tel: 6178-4883, 6178-4882.
Beijing Film Tourism City
Beijing Film Tourism City is a center where visitors can enjoy sightseeing, entertainment and get a peep into the world of movies. It was actually named by President Jiang Zemin. The city includes theme gardens as well as Rongguo and Ningguo mansions, where much of the movie Dream in the Red Chambers was filmed. Other theme areas include Magic Forest, antiques- streets from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and what is called the Battle City of Laser Gun.
In the city you will be given an idea of what happens behind the camera when a movie is in production. You can also take photographs with actors in their club, and even play a fun role as James 007 Bond in Battle City. And if you are ambitious enough to want to direct a movie, you can try it here. Who knows? You might just be another Otto Preminger. A

- Beijing Film Tourism City
Open 8am-4:30pm.
Entrance: Adults, 60 yuan; 40 percent discount for groups;
students, 50 percent discount.
77, Beisanhuan Zhonglu, Haidian District.
Buses 367 or 16 to Beiying Station.
Tel: 6202-5956, 6201-2538.