Travel: My Take on World Expo 2010

Now after I have rattled on for 4 posts, you might ask me: So besides the makan sessions, how do you really feel about the World Expo? Well, being the largest and most expensive World Expo ever held, I thought that China had really went all out to make sure its the best one yet. So here are some tips that I can share if you are ever considering to visit it!



UK Pavilion and its Cathedral of Seeds

Do your homework - With over 100 countries participating, you have to decide beforehand on the ones you really want to see. Visiting a total of 16 pavilions, I personally thought that UK was really cool as its main structure, which resembled a spikey cube, actually housed 60,000 optic fibre-like rods, each holding a specific plant seed at the tip. Its concept was to preserve these species and to safeguard them for the next generation! So read up on the kind of attractions in store for you!



Denmark Pavilion and its Little Mermaid Statue

Plan your route - To say the exhibition ground is huge would be an understatement. Spanning across both the 浦东 and 浦西 side of Shanghai, we spent two days to cover the entire area, barely! Look at the map, familiarise it and see how you can make full use of time visiting one sector before moving on to another. Try not to get lost!



Spain Pavilion and its Giant Baby

Know what you are queuing for - Basically, there are two types of queues at pavilions. Type 1 are the ever-moving ones because what held inside the pavilion is only static exhibition, turnover rate will then be rather smooth and quick. Type 2 is the move and stop kind, as timed performances are shown to every batch of visitors. Type 2 queues typically have a much much longer queuing time, so if you really want to see it, be willing to wait for it!



Singapore Pavilion and its I-dunno-what-to-say-yet-I'm-taking-a-photo-with-it Mr Durian

Don't be afraid of the looming crowd, just queue! - When we were queuing for Germany pavilion, it was scaringly long and encircled the pavilion by almost one full round. The volunteer workers told us that it would be a 3 hour wait from where we are standing, but eventually we took only 1.5hrs (still long, I know) as we later found out that it belonged to the type 1 queue that I had mentioned.

Japan however, took more than 2 hours of queueing as it was the type 2 kind. I was told that Saudi Arabia (The most expensive one that costs more than US1 billion to construct) will need a solid 4 hours wait for its world largest IMAX theatre. Just bear in mind that almost everywhere needs to wait. Be patient!




Central Walkway, Saudi Arabia Pavilion, Netherlands Pavilion

Don't forget the nightview! - If you thought that they looked good in the day, check them out again when they light up. I for one, felt that the night scenery was more fascinating than in the day!



Italy Pavilion and its Vertical Orchestra on Wall

Swoon outside, yawn inside - At the end of the day, I have just one more honest opinion to share, and that is while many countries' pavilion design were really good looking, I felt that the actual exhibition inside faltered relatively, with many merely showing their country history with projectors (France) and product displays (Germany).

Italy, on the other hand, has my vote for favourite pavilion, with very interesting displays of its automobile and fashion industry, and a pasta museum! So don't be upset if you didn't manage to get into all your targetted pavilions, you might not have missed out that much after all!

For more information on World Expo, do visit their official website. Or simply drop me a mail if you need burning questions answered!

Taken with Nikon D70