But Some Are Being Converted Into Theme Parks

China's military recently made news for turning an obsolete Soviet-era aircraft carrier into a new Chinese aircraft carrier. But that's not the only way to recycle a Cold-War-era "floating city." Another carrier undergoing renovation in China is destined to become a luxury hotel.

ETN reports the renovation is taking place in Tianjin, and the new floating hotel is part of Binhai Aircraft, an 80,000-square-meter military theme park opened in 2004 in east Tianjin. The Kiev-class Soviet aircraft carrier happens to be named the Kiev (photo: Yaohua2000/Wikipedia) and was sold to China in 1996. A $15 million restoration reportedly includes three luxury suites, the largest of which is about 4,300 square feet.

Binhai Aircraft says it plans to open the hotel later this year, even though most of the 148 rooms won't be finished. The facility will target a high-end clientele, and also claims "the world’s first Western restaurant on an aircraft carrier," which opened last month. The menu features mostly Russian food.

ETN reports that in addition to the Kiev, another old Soviet carrier has been redeployed in a military theme park in Shenzen.

FMI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_aircraft_carrier_Kiev