Travel Bug

The 2010 Shanghai Expo has begun, and is on till October 31. The host country, China, hopes this World Expo will show everyone evidence that China is becoming powerful. With a sustainable-development-theme, at least 250 countries and international organizations are demonstrating their unique cultures.
In fact, the Expo is the most luxurious one in history till date, and will display the recent green technology from all the 191 participating countries. The slogan of the Expo is, “Better city, better life in music and dance”.

China is incidentally the first developing country that is holding an Expo – and is making efforts to promote this event as environmentally-friendly. Thus, the country’s largest solar plant has been created, and zero emission vehicles are being used for transportation.

The 2010 Shanghai Expo’s size is twice that of Monaco, which makes it 20 times as big as the last World Expo which was held in Zaragoza (Spain) in 2008. The Expo’s site spreads over 5.3 square kilometers across both sides of Shanghai’s Huangpu River. 45 billion dollars has been allocated by Shanghai to improve the infrastructure of the city – thus, the world’s largest Metro system has been created, as well as two brand new airport terminals. 700 million dollars has been spent on the boulevard on the historic Bund, as well as parks and roads.

The 2010 Shanghai Expo is being held after 8 years of preparation, there are 8 direct entrances, 4 ferry entry locations, and 1 metro line entrance. Most of the country/city pavilions are in Pudong area, as well as the Expo Axis (which is the main entrance). Visitors are recommended to know beforehand what they can and cannot bring to the Expo – for instance, water is not allowed. The map can be taken from the information centers near the entrances.