SHANGHAI  WORLD EXPO STUDY TRIP 2010

Shanghai is the the fastest growing city in the world, with a population of over 20 million people.  Now it has built a vast exhibition neighbourhood of over twelve hundred acres for the largest world expo ever. Over seventy million people are expected here at the rate of four hundred thousand a day, from May 1st to the end of October.

See Shanghai World Expo  and see  Expo site

China

Inside, the many levels  of the China Pavilion are illustrations of  the spirit of Chinese culture, the oldest civilization in the world. The wisdom that the ancient Chinese used to develop their cities is showcased.  We can see the story of China's vast migration from rural to urban areas over the past 30 years of reform.

The week before the opening there was a test run for the Expo. At this 4,000 people had to be turned back for their safety in the crush to see the UK pavilion.

My son James (18) and I have planned to meet up here and to see the architecture of Shanghai. So here is the result of our research. To these pages we will add some impressions later in case they are of interest to other travelers. (especially on the subject of spending less money)

                                             UK

The centrepiece of the extraordinary British Pavilion is UK's offering of a gift of conservation to the Chinese People. It looks like a giant dandelion seed on a bed of folded paper.  It is a huge six storey high spherical object formed from some 60,000 slender transparent rods, which extend into the sky and quiver when the evening sea breeze picks up from the Yangtze river gateway to the ocean .  

The first batch of Expo tickets went on sale on January 17th, selling 18 million tickets immediately

USA

The USA Pavilion  gives a glimpse of an American city of the future by providing clean energy, green spaces, clean water and rooftop gardens. It is one of the largest, at 6,000 sq feet, and it features advanced technical features that demonstrate energy efficiency while highlighting the sustainability message of the Expo.

Street Food:  Thousand layerpancake 千层饼 qian céng bíng. This has six layers,  but each has its own fine, flaky texture. A vendor spreads the batter paper-thin over a 50cm-wide grill, then folds the giant pie thrice over into a more manageable size.

                                      Japan

Japan is represented by a huge "breathing organism" pavilion – it  features a theme on the harmony between the human heart and technology.The  double-layer bubble membrane filters sunshine to show how technology can better our lives. Intelligent robots are a part of the Japan Pavilion.

Shanghai tourism:

The Old Town contains some cultural delights, such as the Yu Gardens and Bazaar.

Behind a raised terrace, facing the Huangpo river, is the mile long strip of colonial waterfront buildings: “the Bund”.

India

.The Indian pavilion has a crimson central dome which is roofed with herbs, and it is designed as a zero-chemical area.

 Some of the buildings have been lavishly refurbished and now contain high-end retail, arts and restaurant complexes.

Exploring several blocks of the older downtown area  reveals  the Yu Gardens and Bazaar. Here are  souvenir shops and eating  houses packed together in brightly coloured alleys.

Saudi Arabia

.Saudi Arabia, the homeland of the date palm tree, has reproduced the scene of an oasis in the desert. Palm trees are growing out of the top of a large upturned dish which stands on long legs, a bit like a flying saucer. Inside is the largest IMAX screen on earth, at 1,600 square meters.

One of the world's tallest observation decks opened in August 2008 at the Shanghai World Financial Centre. At  474m (1555ft),  Three levels, the 94th, 97th and 100th have transparent glass floors and full-length glass windows.

France

France has built a  "Sensual City" which looks like a white lattice of concrete, covered in plants. Visitors see, smell, taste, hear, and touch the glamour of France. For example, there will be a romantic French wedding, where couples will tie the knot in the beautiful French-style garden within the pavilion