Shenzhen was one of the first cities to become a Special Economic Zone as part of Deng Xiaoping’s economic reforms of the late 1980s. Special Economic Zone status transformed this small village bordering Hong Kong into a booming metropolis in just a few years. Today, it is an important business center and transport hub. On its western outskirts are a host of strange theme parks. Splendid China and Window on the World have scale models of famous monuments such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Great Wall, as well as plenty of souvenir shops. The Folk Culture Village displays China’s folk traditions, and has paintings, pavilions, and shows of traditional dances. East of Shenzhen, at Shatoujiao, Minsk World displays an entire Soviet aircraft carrier, complete with aircraft.