The Expo 2010 Shanghai is the most expensive expo in the history of the world's fairs. It is also the largest expo site ever at 5.28 square km, with 192 countries and 50 international organizations participating. China expects to receive almost 100 foreign leaders and 70-100 million visitors from across the world, which would make it the most visited in history. The theme of the exposition is "Better City – Better Life" and signifies Shanghai's new status in the 21st century as the "next great world city."
After winning the bid to host the Expo in 2002, Shanghai began a monumental task to reshape the city. More than AU$48 billion was spent for the preparation, more than the cost of cleaning up Beijing in the preparations for the Olympics in 2008. Shanghai began clearing 2.6 square kilometers along the Huangpu River that involved moving 18,000 families and 270 factories, including the Jiang Nan Shipyard, which employs 10,000 workers.
Six new subway lines have opened between 2008 and 2010. Four thousand brand new taxis have been added in the month preceding Expo 2010 opening. The city night lights have been once again improved, using energy-saving LED technology.
Shanghai has trained more than 1.7 million volunteers and adopted Olympic-level security measures, adding metal detectors to subway entrances and screening cars entering the city. (Source: Wikipedia)
Whew!!!
How can one not come to witness this extravaganza?
After a filling brunch of xiaolongbaos, armed with sun block, sunglasses, cap, comfortable shoes, and bottles and bottles of H2O, we brave the 30-something-degree sweltering Shanghai heat.
And I am proud to say, out of the 192 pavilions, we are able to go in… seven.
It’s not easy, I tell you.
The UFO-like Shanghai World Expo Performing Arts Center
View from the UFO: Saudi Arabia Pavilion and India Pavilion
Russia Pavilion
Iceland Pavilion
Finland Pavilion and Denmark Pavilion
Estonia Pavilion
Serbia Pavilion
Spain Pavilion
Belgium Pavilion
Poland Pavilion
Switzerland Pavilion
France Pavilion
United Kingdom Pavilion
Malaysia Pavilion
Thailand Pavilion – my favorite of the seven
So, is the Expo worth the gallons of sweat, the blisters on our feet, the strain on our ankles and knees, and all the new freckles and sun spots on our faces?
Yes.
But you can never convince me to go a second time.
No way.
Expo 2010 Shanghai: Both banks of the Huangpu River, Shanghai, China. Runs from May 1 to October 31, 2010.
