Ships ahoy

Shanghai

In Pudong visitors can revisit the mighty fleet of 14th century Admiral Zheng He or witness the fight against modern-day Somali pirates. Wu Yiyao reports.

Fighting pirates, commanding a fleet, and sailing around the globe - those are common childhood fantasies. Few will actually realize those young aspirations, but now everyone has a chance to live out their dreams vicariously at the China Maritime Museum.

Anchored at Lingang New City next to the sea, the white canvas-covered museum is the largest of its kind in the world. The museum boasts more than 10,000 collections, many of which are cultural relics including objects that trace the evolution of boats from canoe to aircraft carrier.

The replica of a gigantic Ming dynasty boat displayed on the ground floor is so overwhelming that visitors have to lean back to be able to see the tip of the mast. They can also get on board for an experience of life as ancient sailors. The original was the flagship of Admiral Zheng He, the great emissary of the Ming dynasty whose fleet sailed to the shores of Southeast Asia, India and Africa.

The interactive installations in the museum are quite appealing.

"I've been singing Yellow Submarine since I was 10, but I've never been inside one before," says Lu Qinghua, a 21-year-old student who got to do so at the museum.

The model submarine offers visitors a chance to learn more about life under the sea. For those who would like to sail on the waves instead, a 4-D cinema will be open to the public from early September, giving visitors the visual experience of sailing in a perfect storm.

Children, especially, will love the exhibition showing the fight against Somali pirates. Actual objects, pictures and captain's logs give details of how the sailors defeated pirates with the help of Molotov cocktails made of beer bottles.

Visitors can also try their hand a making sailor's knots like the double knot, overhand loop and cloven hitch.

(China Daily 08/22/2010 page15)