2010 WORLD EXPOSITION TRAVEL TIPS

CHINA

2010 WORLD EXPOSITION TRAVEL TIPS

OVERVIEW

With fewer than 100 days to the official opening of the 41st World Exposition on May 1st, 2010, it seems appropriate to present a general overview of the event as well as review planning essentials for international and regional travelers.

Shanghai World Expo 2010 will take place from May 1 to October 31, 2010. Under its main theme of “Better City, Better Life” the expo will showcase a number of exciting initiatives aimed at achieving greener, safer, healthier, prosperous, inclusive, well managed cities – currently where over half of the world’s population resides.

The city of Shanghai itself, which is already experiencing phenomenal growth and change, is readying itself for the Expo with a massive infrastructure program: six new urban railway lines with an additional 200 stations are being built; the road system is being redeveloped and around 300 new hotels are to be built, with a further 400 due for renovation.

Progress on the frenetic construction can be monitored here.

EXPOSITION SITE

The Expo site straddles the Huangpu River with good links to provide access to pavilions on both sides of the river.

Shanghai is already one of China’s economic powerhouses and the Expo is also conveniently situated near the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, two of China’s wealthiest and most industrious regional economies.

The combined region is home to approximately 140 million people, with dynamic cities, strong tourism facilities and a rapidly diversifying economy.

UNIQUE FACTS

This will be the biggest expo ever 200 participants including national and international organizations

70 million visitors expected.

Largest World Expo site ever comprising 5.28 square kilometers with 5 event zones.

Expected number of visitors per day 388000.

41st Expo will be the biggest ever.

Taking place in the biggest city in what is set to become the world’s most powerful trading nation.

Expo 2010 will last for 184 days.

Every one of the European Common Market Countries has signed up to participate.

TICKET INFORMATION

Peak Day means first 3 days after opening, which is also the Labor Day holiday (May 1 – May 3, 2010), China's National Day holiday (Oct 1 – Oct 7, 2010), and the last 7 days of the expo 2010 (Oct 25 – Oct 31, 2010). There are 19 Peak Days in total. Peak Day ticket holders can enter the expo zone at any time (Peak Days and Standard Days).

Standard Day means the whole expo time (May 1–Oct 31, 2010), excluding Peak Days. There are 168 Standard Days in total. Standard Day ticket holders can enter the expo zone on any standard day, but not on Peak Days.

3 Day and 7 Day Admission tickets are the equivalent of 3/7 Standard Day Admission tickets.

Evening Admission tickets are only valid after 5:00 P.M., and are only available on Standard Days.

Group Admission is for a group no fewer than 15 people; Student Group Admission is for no fewer than 30 students. Both ticket types require reservation in advance.

Special Admission is for the following people:

•Disabled

•People born in or before 1950

•Students with valid IDs

•Children above 1.2m

•Chinese military personnel on active duty

For Special Admission, valid IDs are required upon ticket purchase and entry, and can enter on any day, Peak or Standard.

All tickets only can enter once on the entry day.

Children shorter than 1.2m enter for free.