<![CDATA[Comments on: Shanghai Expo Pavilions]]> 2010-05-16 18:00:00 <![CDATA[By: yase]]> Went to Expo last week for one evening and one full day. The evenings are the best deal - buy a post 5 pm ticket for 90 rmb and the crowds are by then all disappearing. In contrast, mid morning queues around the popular Japan, Saudi, Korea etc pavilions can take up to two/three hours. UK pavilion extremely interesting as too the Russian one.

]]> Went to Expo last week for one evening and one full day. The evenings are the best deal - buy a post 5 pm ticket for 90 rmb and the crowds are by then all disappearing. In contrast, mid morning queues around the popular Japan, Saudi, Korea etc pavilions can take up to two/three hours. UK pavilion extremely interesting as too the Russian one.

]]> <![CDATA[By: yase]]> Almost impossible to get into the China main pavilion unless queue up well before 9 am start, as the daily reservation slots are given out as one enters the park. Unfortunately, these are all handed out in the first 10 minutes. Can still get inside the China provinces part of the pavilion at the ground floor level without any reservation.

]]> Almost impossible to get into the China main pavilion unless queue up well before 9 am start, as the daily reservation slots are given out as one enters the park. Unfortunately, these are all handed out in the first 10 minutes. Can still get inside the China provinces part of the pavilion at the ground floor level without any reservation.

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiaophil]]> Has anyone gone to the American one?  I remember that it almost didn't happen.  Since it all happened at the last minute, I guess it is pretty boring.  I hope I'm wrong.

]]> Has anyone gone to the American one?  I remember that it almost didn't happen.  Since it all happened at the last minute, I guess it is pretty boring.  I hope I'm wrong.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> daily reservation slots

...oh cool,so they do give out numbers,hey? ..sounds like you've gotta line up for ones that are going to be full though.For the others I guess you can get your number and then wander around till the time comes hey?

]]> daily reservation slots

...oh cool,so they do give out numbers,hey? ..sounds like you've gotta line up for ones that are going to be full though.For the others I guess you can get your number and then wander around till the time comes hey?

]]> <![CDATA[By: yase]]> xiaophil - sorry to say I did go in. You are right, I regret to say I walked out after the second sector as it was not very interesting and somewhat condescending. Heard later i missed out in the 4th sector seeing their '2050 year modern city' exhibition. Do not know if it was any good though.

]]> xiaophil - sorry to say I did go in. You are right, I regret to say I walked out after the second sector as it was not very interesting and somewhat condescending. Heard later i missed out in the 4th sector seeing their '2050 year modern city' exhibition. Do not know if it was any good though.

]]> <![CDATA[By: yase]]> the only reservation system that I found was for the main China pavilion. All others you just queue up to get in.

]]> the only reservation system that I found was for the main China pavilion. All others you just queue up to get in.

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiaophil]]> Condescending? Yikes! I dare say that is even more disappointing than being boring. Might I ask how is it that it gave you that impression? By the way, by saying 'missing out' do you mean, you heard it was good, or you just didn't see it?

Thanks for the input.

]]> Condescending? Yikes! I dare say that is even more disappointing than being boring. Might I ask how is it that it gave you that impression? By the way, by saying 'missing out' do you mean, you heard it was good, or you just didn't see it?

Thanks for the input.

]]> <![CDATA[By: tvan]]> @Yase, I was planning to head to the Expo in June; might as well, since I'm passing through. Based on your experience, what do you recommend?

]]> @Yase, I was planning to head to the Expo in June; might as well, since I'm passing through. Based on your experience, what do you recommend?

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> Condescending how? I have a friend covering the Expo as a journalist, and he said it was one of the few pavilions (the only pavilion?) manned by non-Chinese volunteers that actually spoke (relatively fluent) Chinese.

]]> Condescending how? I have a friend covering the Expo as a journalist, and he said it was one of the few pavilions (the only pavilion?) manned by non-Chinese volunteers that actually spoke (relatively fluent) Chinese.

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> Yeah, it seems that right now it's all about one's strategy to avoid the crowds. I'm going to keep waiting a bit longer before going.

]]> Yeah, it seems that right now it's all about one's strategy to avoid the crowds. I'm going to keep waiting a bit longer before going.

]]> <![CDATA[By: yase]]> John - agree with your friend , language very good indeed. No problem there at all. But I went to see the exhibits and shows etc.

Condescending to the visitors - I do not want to get into any arguments here, but I (and I suspect a lot of local Chinese visitors who also walked out at the sam time) found the first part very boring mainly just thanking the sponsors , the second part a film show about diversity and children and Hilary Clinton and others giving a pep talk and talking down to all of us. I felt I was a first grader at school. I preferred to then use my limited time to explore other pavilions. Perhaps the third and fourth parts were good, and if so, I regret not seeing them. But there are more than 150 pavilions and time very precious.

I wasted over an hour and a half queuing up at the Kazahstan pavilion the next day - they only let in 120 people an hour due to the limitations of their cinema seating.

]]> John - agree with your friend , language very good indeed. No problem there at all. But I went to see the exhibits and shows etc.

Condescending to the visitors - I do not want to get into any arguments here, but I (and I suspect a lot of local Chinese visitors who also walked out at the sam time) found the first part very boring mainly just thanking the sponsors , the second part a film show about diversity and children and Hilary Clinton and others giving a pep talk and talking down to all of us. I felt I was a first grader at school. I preferred to then use my limited time to explore other pavilions. Perhaps the third and fourth parts were good, and if so, I regret not seeing them. But there are more than 150 pavilions and time very precious.

I wasted over an hour and a half queuing up at the Kazahstan pavilion the next day - they only let in 120 people an hour due to the limitations of their cinema seating.

]]> <![CDATA[By: epdchina]]> 听说 the American pavilion was really focusing on the importance of going green- 绿化

]]> 听说 the American pavilion was really focusing on the importance of going green- 绿化

]]> <![CDATA[By: yase]]> Definitely go in the evening if you only have limited time. You can buy a ticket at the entrance. Walking around then is much cooler and more enjoyable. You might only see around 10 pavilions or so, if you are lucky, but you can get the flavour. Some lovely photographic opportunities also - all lit up at night time.

A very large area - Zone B and C are the European, African, Australian, Singapore etc areas. Zone A is China, Asia etc. I personally would start in the EU Zone C area, and then walk up via B to Zone A Asia area and see the China pavilion etc when quiet and fewer visitors - very impressive indeed.

I verymuch also liked the Vietnam , Morocco, Saudi, Nepal, UAE pavilions - but it is up to your personal taste.

]]> Definitely go in the evening if you only have limited time. You can buy a ticket at the entrance. Walking around then is much cooler and more enjoyable. You might only see around 10 pavilions or so, if you are lucky, but you can get the flavour. Some lovely photographic opportunities also - all lit up at night time.

A very large area - Zone B and C are the European, African, Australian, Singapore etc areas. Zone A is China, Asia etc. I personally would start in the EU Zone C area, and then walk up via B to Zone A Asia area and see the China pavilion etc when quiet and fewer visitors - very impressive indeed.

I verymuch also liked the Vietnam , Morocco, Saudi, Nepal, UAE pavilions - but it is up to your personal taste.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jennyzhu]]> Shanghai is so nervous about whether the Expo will hit the 70-million-visitors target that there is an hourly-updated tally of the number of visitors everyday on TV and radio.

]]> Shanghai is so nervous about whether the Expo will hit the 70-million-visitors target that there is an hourly-updated tally of the number of visitors everyday on TV and radio.

]]> <![CDATA[By: catherinem]]> I haven't been yet but I've actually heard good things. Will post photos once I make it down there!

]]> I haven't been yet but I've actually heard good things. Will post photos once I make it down there!

]]> <![CDATA[By: catherinem]]> Interesting. From what I've read, a lot of pavilions worked the going green aspect of this year's expo into their architectural designs...

]]> Interesting. From what I've read, a lot of pavilions worked the going green aspect of this year's expo into their architectural designs...

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> Jenny,

Is there an online tally?

Also,I'm wondering whether those of you have noticed the influx of visitors to the city. Is public transport more crowded? Restaurants? streets? ..in general?

]]> Jenny,

Is there an online tally?

Also,I'm wondering whether those of you have noticed the influx of visitors to the city. Is public transport more crowded? Restaurants? streets? ..in general?

]]> <![CDATA[By: yase]]> Indeed, and I heard that after the first week's unexpectedly low numbers going in that a lot more ticket sales outlets have opened in the city to make it more convenient for folk to buy them and then go and see Expo. I think you can even now buy in some supermarkets and small corner shops.

Many people may have been put off from going by the photos of the crowds and the long queues during the pre-opening trial runs.

]]> Indeed, and I heard that after the first week's unexpectedly low numbers going in that a lot more ticket sales outlets have opened in the city to make it more convenient for folk to buy them and then go and see Expo. I think you can even now buy in some supermarkets and small corner shops.

Many people may have been put off from going by the photos of the crowds and the long queues during the pre-opening trial runs.

]]> <![CDATA[By: yase]]> check out the UK one with its seedpod tube design.

]]> check out the UK one with its seedpod tube design.

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiao_liang]]> When does the expo run until? If it will still be going in October, that would coincide nicely with my visit :)

]]> When does the expo run until? If it will still be going in October, that would coincide nicely with my visit :)

]]> <![CDATA[By: yase]]> xiao_ling, October 31st - but beware of the last week or two - all the people who have not been will be rushing out to see it.

]]> xiao_ling, October 31st - but beware of the last week or two - all the people who have not been will be rushing out to see it.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jen_not_jenny]]> Yes, there are special tickets for "peak attendance days" and the last few days of the expo run are included in those. I believe those tickets are sold out...

]]> Yes, there are special tickets for "peak attendance days" and the last few days of the expo run are included in those. I believe those tickets are sold out...

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiao_liang]]> Hah! Guess when we arrive. Oh well, thanks folks, maybe we can come a week or two earlier...

]]> Hah! Guess when we arrive. Oh well, thanks folks, maybe we can come a week or two earlier...

]]> <![CDATA[By: yase]]> per my info, the 'peak' days in October are the first week ( October holiday week), and the last week.

]]> per my info, the 'peak' days in October are the first week ( October holiday week), and the last week.

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiao_liang]]> Thanks for the info yase!

]]> Thanks for the info yase!

]]> <![CDATA[By: jen_not_jenny]]> Yes, that's the info I see online, too... Actually, now that I think about it, the local TV station lists the peak dates pretty often, and I think the only dates I saw in October were the 1st through the 3rd....I'm not confident in my memory, but I wonder if perhaps they've changed what constitutes a Peak Day because of the aforementioned "low" attendance??

In that case, you might be in luck, xiao_liang...

]]> Yes, that's the info I see online, too... Actually, now that I think about it, the local TV station lists the peak dates pretty often, and I think the only dates I saw in October were the 1st through the 3rd....I'm not confident in my memory, but I wonder if perhaps they've changed what constitutes a Peak Day because of the aforementioned "low" attendance??

In that case, you might be in luck, xiao_liang...

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiaophil]]> Hey Yase,

Thanks for letting me know, and no worries, I won't start an argument with you :-)

]]> Hey Yase,

Thanks for letting me know, and no worries, I won't start an argument with you :-)

]]> <![CDATA[By: tanglang]]> maybe BP would have use for the pavillion to cover up the oil leak. Would look more pretty than garbage ...

]]> maybe BP would have use for the pavillion to cover up the oil leak. Would look more pretty than garbage ...

]]> <![CDATA[By: changye]]> I think there is absolutely nothing to worry about. The PRC government would definitely make it ........... at all costs.

]]> I think there is absolutely nothing to worry about. The PRC government would definitely make it ........... at all costs.

]]> <![CDATA[By: tvan]]> bababardwan, I actually made the blunder of scheduling a flight out of Shanghai on the opening weekend of the Expo. All public transport going into Shanghai was plugged: fast train, slow train, buses, everything was sold out! I wound up leaving on Monday.

Some people have made a big deal about the security, but it didn't seem that bad to me... just a fairly cursory screen going into the airport.

]]> bababardwan, I actually made the blunder of scheduling a flight out of Shanghai on the opening weekend of the Expo. All public transport going into Shanghai was plugged: fast train, slow train, buses, everything was sold out! I wound up leaving on Monday.

Some people have made a big deal about the security, but it didn't seem that bad to me... just a fairly cursory screen going into the airport.

]]> <![CDATA[By: andongni1986]]> Having just visited the expo I think its most suited to those whom enjoy walking vast distances, take pleasure in large competitive queuing systems or are enticed by pavilions that hugely undersell the culture of the country they represent. One country had a necklace on display that was labelled with felt tip pen on a piece of scruffy paper and although this was pretty much as bad as it got, personally I think its not worth the money or your valuable time. Much better off spending the day with Jenny and John on full blast drilling in some Chinese. :-)

]]> Having just visited the expo I think its most suited to those whom enjoy walking vast distances, take pleasure in large competitive queuing systems or are enticed by pavilions that hugely undersell the culture of the country they represent. One country had a necklace on display that was labelled with felt tip pen on a piece of scruffy paper and although this was pretty much as bad as it got, personally I think its not worth the money or your valuable time. Much better off spending the day with Jenny and John on full blast drilling in some Chinese. :-)

]]> <![CDATA[By: orangina]]> take pleasure in large competitive queuing systems

I think you just put a new spin on getting on the 地铁... I will now think of it as sport and try to enjoy it! Only trouble is, I am not that into sports...

]]> take pleasure in large competitive queuing systems

I think you just put a new spin on getting on the 地铁... I will now think of it as sport and try to enjoy it! Only trouble is, I am not that into sports...

]]> <![CDATA[By: andongni1986]]> Haha, When we were at the expo I actually told my parents there was a special pavilion called the 地铁， I didn't translate the meaning into English, I just told them that the queue was 2 hours shorter than for the UK pavilion, It was underground, and when you got in it you would be propelled at high speed back to normal place. For me the 地铁 was the best pavilion that day and it only took us about two hours to walk to the nearest one from the UK pavilion. Sweeeeet! :-)

]]> Haha, When we were at the expo I actually told my parents there was a special pavilion called the 地铁， I didn't translate the meaning into English, I just told them that the queue was 2 hours shorter than for the UK pavilion, It was underground, and when you got in it you would be propelled at high speed back to normal place. For me the 地铁 was the best pavilion that day and it only took us about two hours to walk to the nearest one from the UK pavilion. Sweeeeet! :-)

]]> <![CDATA[By: masterkrang]]> has anybody suggested that the Shanghai expo is just the government simulating a fake international experience for Chinese people who really want to leave the country but can't? ummmm, how would i ask this in Chinese?

:)

]]> has anybody suggested that the Shanghai expo is just the government simulating a fake international experience for Chinese people who really want to leave the country but can't? ummmm, how would i ask this in Chinese?

:)

]]> <![CDATA[By: masterkrang]]> your comment reminds me of being in beijing and going to a college student fair where all of the decorations we basically made by hand... all of the things were so cheap, like landscapes made from multiple magazine cuttings, and plants made out of pieces of paper, but when you added them all together and sorta pretended you weren't so snobby, it was pretty awesome... i think this is a cultural difference between americans and chinese, the chinese seem so much more enthusiastic and willing to work with limited materials, sometimes even more creative than what i'm used to in america.

if i could go, which i can't unfortunately, i would just try to pretend i was a little chinese kid. or if i still blazed it i would do something like that to try to get in the mood. ha!

]]> your comment reminds me of being in beijing and going to a college student fair where all of the decorations we basically made by hand... all of the things were so cheap, like landscapes made from multiple magazine cuttings, and plants made out of pieces of paper, but when you added them all together and sorta pretended you weren't so snobby, it was pretty awesome... i think this is a cultural difference between americans and chinese, the chinese seem so much more enthusiastic and willing to work with limited materials, sometimes even more creative than what i'm used to in america.

if i could go, which i can't unfortunately, i would just try to pretend i was a little chinese kid. or if i still blazed it i would do something like that to try to get in the mood. ha!

]]> <![CDATA[By: mark]]> masterkrang, has anyone suggested that Disney World (the one in Florida) is a fake international experience for Americans who want to leave the country but can't? One could view it that way, I guess, but it kind of takes the fun out of it.

]]> masterkrang, has anyone suggested that Disney World (the one in Florida) is a fake international experience for Americans who want to leave the country but can't? One could view it that way, I guess, but it kind of takes the fun out of it.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> special pavilion called the 地铁，...propelled at high speed back to normal place

..lol :)

large competitive queuing systems

...no surprise the queues are long. Your comment makes me wonder how orderly they are.Reminds me of that lesson we had about queueing using phrases like ni yinggai paidui ..or ni mei zhang yanjing? Is there a lot of pushing in ,outta control stuff? are there officials keeping things in order?

]]> special pavilion called the 地铁，...propelled at high speed back to normal place

..lol :)

large competitive queuing systems

...no surprise the queues are long. Your comment makes me wonder how orderly they are.Reminds me of that lesson we had about queueing using phrases like ni yinggai paidui ..or ni mei zhang yanjing? Is there a lot of pushing in ,outta control stuff? are there officials keeping things in order?

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiaophil]]> That is a funny point. I bet there are a heckuva lot of Americans that can't afford to travel. I always envy Europeans for having so many very distinct countries to easily go to on the weekend. Even during the best of economic times, Americans basically only have two convenient choices: Mexico and Canada. Poor Canadians. They only have us.

]]> That is a funny point. I bet there are a heckuva lot of Americans that can't afford to travel. I always envy Europeans for having so many very distinct countries to easily go to on the weekend. Even during the best of economic times, Americans basically only have two convenient choices: Mexico and Canada. Poor Canadians. They only have us.

]]> <![CDATA[By: brookrobertson]]> I think the American pavilion has gotten a bad rap unnecessarily. It is one of the few pavilions which had both entertainment value and cohesiveness. Some of the pavilions are so irrelevant. Take Russia for instance..Maybe fun for the kids since it feels like Alice in Wonderland. I was expecting the mad hatter to pop out of the overgrown morning glories. But did I learn anything about Russia as a country? Nope.

]]> I think the American pavilion has gotten a bad rap unnecessarily. It is one of the few pavilions which had both entertainment value and cohesiveness. Some of the pavilions are so irrelevant. Take Russia for instance..Maybe fun for the kids since it feels like Alice in Wonderland. I was expecting the mad hatter to pop out of the overgrown morning glories. But did I learn anything about Russia as a country? Nope.

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiaophil]]> Well, I'm glad to hear that. I've been afraid that it is simply big.

]]> Well, I'm glad to hear that. I've been afraid that it is simply big.

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiaophil]]> Has anyone seen the North Korean pavilion?  I am just so curious.

]]> Has anyone seen the North Korean pavilion?  I am just so curious.

]]> <![CDATA[By: yase]]> yes, I popped in . No queue at all for that one last week. Not bad, - but mainly photographs on the walls / exhibits about the countryside and the capital city. Quite enjoyed it actually, and was suprised they were even putting in a presence. Did not need to show my passport to gain access ! - only the special Expo passport to get the stamp on the page.

Similarly, the Iranian one quite interesting and entertaining and worth seeing - - in my humble opinion.They had put in a big effort.

]]> yes, I popped in . No queue at all for that one last week. Not bad, - but mainly photographs on the walls / exhibits about the countryside and the capital city. Quite enjoyed it actually, and was suprised they were even putting in a presence. Did not need to show my passport to gain access ! - only the special Expo passport to get the stamp on the page.

Similarly, the Iranian one quite interesting and entertaining and worth seeing - - in my humble opinion.They had put in a big effort.

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> Interesting. Don't worry, I'm not looking for an argument. Just curious about your experience.

]]> Interesting. Don't worry, I'm not looking for an argument. Just curious about your experience.

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiaophil]]> Wow, good to know. Thanks to you I'll put the Iranian and Saudi Pavilion on my must see list. I'll check out the North Korean one too if I end up being around there. Thanks!

]]> Wow, good to know. Thanks to you I'll put the Iranian and Saudi Pavilion on my must see list. I'll check out the North Korean one too if I end up being around there. Thanks!

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> hehe,yeah I was thinking of Las Vegas,all the cities with Chinatowns,and big cities like LA that have areas such as "little Italy". Obviously there is no substitute for the real deal,but when you can't afford it I love having these options,and love living in a multicultural society.

I was also thinking about the all the previous world expos and don't see why the Chinese govt should be singled out for such a comment. It could equally apply to those former.In fact it was Prince Albert's idea originally that kicked off the 1851 expo in London and it's title gives the main idea behind it:

"Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations"

]]> hehe,yeah I was thinking of Las Vegas,all the cities with Chinatowns,and big cities like LA that have areas such as "little Italy". Obviously there is no substitute for the real deal,but when you can't afford it I love having these options,and love living in a multicultural society.

I was also thinking about the all the previous world expos and don't see why the Chinese govt should be singled out for such a comment. It could equally apply to those former.In fact it was Prince Albert's idea originally that kicked off the 1851 expo in London and it's title gives the main idea behind it:

"Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations"

]]> <![CDATA[By: chris]]> I wouldn't say I've noticed any significant increase in the number of people generally out and about in Shanghai since Expo kicked off, but I've definitely sensed a marked increase in foreigners in last few weeks. I've been here coming up for 4 years now and whilst the laowai population seems to have been steadily increasing over that period, I was talking with my mates the other day that it does seem to have spiked in recent weeks and we put it down to Expo.

]]> I wouldn't say I've noticed any significant increase in the number of people generally out and about in Shanghai since Expo kicked off, but I've definitely sensed a marked increase in foreigners in last few weeks. I've been here coming up for 4 years now and whilst the laowai population seems to have been steadily increasing over that period, I was talking with my mates the other day that it does seem to have spiked in recent weeks and we put it down to Expo.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> thanks chris and tvan...interesting to know. Yeah, I guess it'd have to be a pretty decent number to make an impressionable dent in 14 million. On the other hand ,if public transport say was already bursting at the seams....

..do they seem to have put on extra services?

]]> thanks chris and tvan...interesting to know. Yeah, I guess it'd have to be a pretty decent number to make an impressionable dent in 14 million. On the other hand ,if public transport say was already bursting at the seams....

..do they seem to have put on extra services?

]]> <![CDATA[By: maktubhelou]]> Is that 70-million from beginning to end? What if people go twice? I'm curious what the number is up to now. All I get here is "Hero" a Korean-subtitled Chinese channel that seems to show nothing but historical dramas either originally in Mandarin or dubbed... that and Korean infomercials. Oh the lengths I go to in order to get a little listening practice, ha.

]]> Is that 70-million from beginning to end? What if people go twice? I'm curious what the number is up to now. All I get here is "Hero" a Korean-subtitled Chinese channel that seems to show nothing but historical dramas either originally in Mandarin or dubbed... that and Korean infomercials. Oh the lengths I go to in order to get a little listening practice, ha.

]]> <![CDATA[By: brendaninaus]]> No, I think the World Parks are for that (there is one in Beijing and one in Guangzhou). There they have scale models of world famous sites (Eiffel Tower, Great Pyramids etc.) where you can get your photo taken, so you can pretend you have been around the world.

There is even a movie made about a worker in the park (I can't recall the name), which is how I know about them (they are more domestically orientated so are often left out of travel guides).

I think the Expo concept was menat to be to show off new technology. At an early one they showed offf the then new technology of X-rays, letting people have a go using it. Through this they soon discovered the side affects of X-rays, most notably through the many cancers people suffered afterwards.

Of course these days the money making incentive is ever present, and it is in part a travel show.

]]> No, I think the World Parks are for that (there is one in Beijing and one in Guangzhou). There they have scale models of world famous sites (Eiffel Tower, Great Pyramids etc.) where you can get your photo taken, so you can pretend you have been around the world.

There is even a movie made about a worker in the park (I can't recall the name), which is how I know about them (they are more domestically orientated so are often left out of travel guides).

I think the Expo concept was menat to be to show off new technology. At an early one they showed offf the then new technology of X-rays, letting people have a go using it. Through this they soon discovered the side affects of X-rays, most notably through the many cancers people suffered afterwards.

Of course these days the money making incentive is ever present, and it is in part a travel show.

]]> <![CDATA[By: brendaninaus]]> Did they make you wear a placade saying "foreigner" like they often do to travellers who visit the country (the person I met who visited North Korea is obese, had orange hair and white skin, so why he needed to be labelled foreigner is beyond me).

]]> Did they make you wear a placade saying "foreigner" like they often do to travellers who visit the country (the person I met who visited North Korea is obese, had orange hair and white skin, so why he needed to be labelled foreigner is beyond me).

]]> <![CDATA[By: ellen_counselor]]> My neighbor's friend came to Shanghai from America for visiting the Expo took up to two hours and a half queuing up before entering China Pavilion. She left home at 5 in the morning.

]]> My neighbor's friend came to Shanghai from America for visiting the Expo took up to two hours and a half queuing up before entering China Pavilion. She left home at 5 in the morning.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jamesmontgomery]]> Is the American pavilion open yet? News reports here say that it won't open until July (after we've left Shanghai).

]]> Is the American pavilion open yet? News reports here say that it won't open until July (after we've left Shanghai).

]]> <![CDATA[By: raymondc]]> If i were in Shanghai , I'd take the chance to visit Expo. 2 years ago I was in China during the olympics but I don't regret to watch them on TV.

But same as in Paris , I hate long queuing system.

I've never been to a World Expô in my life and would love too.

太期待今天的世博一日游了.

]]> If i were in Shanghai , I'd take the chance to visit Expo. 2 years ago I was in China during the olympics but I don't regret to watch them on TV.

But same as in Paris , I hate long queuing system.

I've never been to a World Expô in my life and would love too.

太期待今天的世博一日游了.

]]> <![CDATA[By: tvan]]> I think the Shanghai Expo is different from the run-of-the mill Expos because it represents a coming of age for China; similar to the first ones held in New York, Paris, and Suita (the current attendance record holder) were for their countries.

As for going overboard, what the hell, the French built that ridiculous tower for their Expo.

]]> I think the Shanghai Expo is different from the run-of-the mill Expos because it represents a coming of age for China; similar to the first ones held in New York, Paris, and Suita (the current attendance record holder) were for their countries.

As for going overboard, what the hell, the French built that ridiculous tower for their Expo.

]]> <![CDATA[By: feds]]> 7 million as of a couple days ago - looks like they won't hit 70 million unless they start shipping in people from the countryside and giving away more tickets... on the other hand, summer holidays are coming up for kids.

]]> 7 million as of a couple days ago - looks like they won't hit 70 million unless they start shipping in people from the countryside and giving away more tickets... on the other hand, summer holidays are coming up for kids.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jinkeli]]> We waited nearly an hour and to be honest was disappointed and left wondering if that was the best we could do. (I am American...)

Still not as bad as I make it sound and I had to at least see it.

-c

]]> We waited nearly an hour and to be honest was disappointed and left wondering if that was the best we could do. (I am American...)

Still not as bad as I make it sound and I had to at least see it.

-c

]]>