All for the once in a life time parade

Beijing's Military Parade Village - the temporary home of the military troops who will perform in the upcoming National Day parade - opened its gates to foreign media for the first time Thursday.

More than 30 media organizations from 17 countries were shown around the village Thursday, with a tour of the training field, logistic base, and living facilities

For the past four months, the village has been home to the troops preparing to march in China's 60th National Day celebrations.

Thousands of men and women have been preparing to dazzle the world with their crisp steps and immaculate formations on Oct 1.

That day is the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, when an increasingly confident Chinese government will show off the military prowess that has been growing in tandem with its economic might, with a parade through central Beijing.

Officials are taking no risks with their A-list performers, who have been training for months in the specially-built parade village beside an old runway on the outskirts of Beijing, where the elite group drills for eight hours a day, rain or shine.

The village, situated in Beijing's Changping district, was previously used by troops preparing for the 50th National Day parade in 1999.

Video: Peng Kuang

Editor: Huan CAO