There is still time to go to World Expo 2010 in Shanghai which comes to a close on 31 October. Following on from the Summer Olympics in Beijing in 2008 the Chinese have staged another blockbuster event showcasing not only their own achievements but also featuring pavilions from over 200 other countries from around the world.
A former run down site on the banks of the Huangpu River that runs through central Shanghai has been transformed into the massive World Expo site complete with incredible infrastructure to make it easy for patrons to attend. As an addition to the already superb Shanghai metro system a dedicated railway line connects a central (Madang Rd) station to the centre of the expo area. Security is tight with bag checks and no liquids can be brought through the entrance gates – free water stations are spread throughout the area.
A highlight of Expo is the spectacular pavilions some very futuristic in design – Finland, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Singapore and Saudi Arabia stand out. The UK pavilion looks like a rather large grey porcupine. Many are brightly colourful including Estonia, Japan and Malaysia. The USA pavilion is a stark, angular grey construction. Some of the smaller countries from less wealthy regions like the Pacific, sub Saharan Africa and South America have combined under the roof of enormous pavilions and they stand up well against their bigger brothers.
Dominating the whole Expo is China, a huge red pavilion with each region of China having its own display in the vast interior space.. The Chinese are hugely proud of their country and achievements and are making the most of the opportunity to impress the world.
The theme of World Expo 2010 is ‘Better City, Better Life” and countries have interpreted this in various ways in their pavilions, big and small. Some have concentrated on the ways they have accepted the challenge to improve their cities by way, for example, of improved traffic plans, revolutions in energy use. The Danes, well known for use of bicycles within the city area of Copenhagen, have included a short bike track from the roof of their pavilion to ground level.
Australia, in a dark brown coloured pavilion which looks rather like Uluru, has combined information on its history since Federation with a rather jazzy animated beach/lifestyle presentation designed to attract the Chinese – the crowds really enjoyed it. New Zealand has chosen to focus on lifestyle in the country (the sweeping grassy bank and giant pohutukawa tree draw admiring comments).
Australia pavilion
New Zealand pavilion
Some exhibits have a distinctly political feel while others have used the opportunity to sell local artefacts from their countries.
The Expo site is huge and this and the crowds make visiting Expo tiring and frustrating. The local crowds continue to pour in; going to the site by train one day a TV screen told me that at 9.25am 61000 had already passed through the entrance; by 1110 it was 148000. These numbers create long, frustrating queues to get into most pavilions with waiting times of 4-6 hours quite common. The Chinese (who make up over 95% of attendees) are incredible patient and I marvelled at how young children accepted long waits without complaint. If you plan to go you should have a pre-purchased entry ticket, and preferably arrive later in the afternoon when the crowds ease (the gates close at midnight) and there are activities like a daily parade and outdoor dance shows. I found that 4-5 hours a day was the maximum I could take .
A feature for many Chinese is the Expo ‘passport’ and many spend their time rushing from one stand to the next just to get the passport stamped.
Shanghai is a wonderful city and with its excellent metro system very easy to get around to the Expo site and also the other major attractions. Combine a visit to World Expo with a couple of days exploring the city. Include a stroll on the Bund along the Huangpu River and take the time to peek inside the famous Peace Hotel at the corner of Nanjing Road – the newly renovated hotel now operated by the Fairmont group has been beautifully restored in classic style.
Visit the incredible Shanghai Museum which, in addition to its collection of incredible artefacts from all round China currently also includes an exhibition of works from the collection of Catherine the Great from the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. Panoramic views can be obtained from some of the world’s highest observation platforms including the Oriental Pearl Tower and the observatory on top of the Shanghai World Financial Center.
China pavilion
The Chinese love to shop and shopping outlets ranging from luxury boutiques to vast plazas are dotted throughout the city area and in many suburban precincts. I always wonder where they put everything in their smallish apartments.
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