Shanghai World Expo 2010 - opening

Shanghai World Expo celebrated its official opening on 1 May 2010.  The Expo opened last night on the banks of the Huagpu River which was set a blaze and alight by fireworks which was made in Australia.

The Expo, featuring exhibits from 189 countries, will showcase Shanghai to the world.  The most prominent of the pavillion is the China pavillion, a red upside down pyramid, with floor space equivalent to more than 26 soccer fields.

More than 25 million tickets have been sold and a projected 70 million is expected to visit the site.  Shanghai has trained more than 1.7million volunteers.  I can't wait for my visit to this mega event in a few weeks time.

Here are some facts to be taken into consideration...


China expects about 400,000 daily visitors to consume 547 tonnes of food each day during expo.
The site is twice the size of Monaco and 20 times bigger than the 2008 event held in Zaragoza, Spain.

The expo theme is ''Better city, better life''.

Chinese have been urged to queue better, spit less and not wear pyjamas in public. (I definitely hope I won't have spit on my shoes!!)

The 3500 police on patrol are forbidden to eat garlic or anything else that would make their breath smell. (Yes, the garlic breath could be a bit, err, off putting?)

http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/travel/shanghais-world-expo-2010/20100430-tyw9.html?selectedImage=0