At only cents per bullet, it's easy for most foreign visitors to afford multiple one-on-one sessions with one of China North's many offerings. A tumble with the park's 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, for instance, is but the cost of admission to see the latest Disney flick. Li Ruo Kun, a 20-something Beijing-based tour guide for Malaysian and Japanese tourists, and a sharp-shooter at China North, foresees more foreign visitors at the shooting range. "Foreigners would love it here. These opportunities are few in China and after seeing all the sights and historical relics, a tourist needs to come to a shooting range."
Not only can tourists use China North to help them stomach the monotony of a tour bus trek through Beijing, but China's increasing middle class is ravenous for weekend leisure alternatives. Says Li Nan, another Beijing-based young urban professional, "Hey. It's better than bowling." With more and more disposable income in the pockets of China's young economic elite, there is an increasing demand for an updated entertainment infrastructure that can replace standards such as the Carpenters karaoke night at the local dive bar. "With more money," says Kun, "there should be more and more chances for people to play during the weekend. As more and more people get wealthier, China needs more amusement possibilities. Right now, there's only swimming, bowling, and disco dancing on the weekends. We certainly need more opportunities for the weekend." Playtime in the ballistic battlefields of China North offers a much-needed weekend release that if sino-yuppie Li Nan believes is especially appealing to his contemporaries. "The shooting range is definitely more suitable for younger people 18 to 30 years of age. Just look at how inexpensive it is here. Sure, the middle-aged folks are here, the managers and execs. But they play with the more powerful - and more expensive - toys." But even if Nan could afford an encounter with a rocket launcher, he probably wouldn't take up the offer. "If I had more money, I wouldn't come here," he admits. "I'd go shoot some animals ... but not the protected ones, though."