Shanghai Expo
05-13-2010, 09:51 PM
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Shanghai Expo
Just back from a 3 day Expo visit. So here is a report with some tips for anyone planning a trip to visit the Expo whether on a layover or vacation.
First of all the Expo site is massive in scale. There is no scale on the map, but I'd guess at least 3 kilometers in length and close to 1 kilometer wide on the Pudong side and close to 2 kilometers long and 500 meters wide on the Shanghai side. There is no practical way to see the entire Expo in a 3 day trip. To see everything there would take a minimum of 7 days. That is important point number one. Any person planning a visit needs to target one specific area per day otherwise it's just not possible to enjoy the experience.
The information on the official website is pretty poor. There is some good stuff there, but it isn't that helpful in planning a trip. Expo wesbsite
The Expo grounds contain Pavillions from most of the countries of the world. The more affluent countries built their own pavillions, while some of the smaller less affluent ones have common buildings with multiple countries represented. Examples would be the Africa Pavillion, Central and South America Pavillion, Pacific Pavillion, and Caribbean Community Pavillion.
The most popular pavillions are China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Germany, USA, UK, Spain, Australia, and a few others. Those pavillions have up to a 2 hour waiting line during the daytime. In the case of China if you are not there to reserve an entry time early in the morning then forget it. They restrict the number of entries per day and those are gone by 9:05 am. I think the only way to get in is to queue very early in the morning or get on a tour group that has an entry time. I didn't even try based on what I'd been told.
If you are travelling with a baby in a stroller ( officially age one and under ) or with an elderly person in a wheelchair or over age 80 then you can cut in line at many of the pavillions. That can save a huge amount of time so by all means borrow somebody's baby for your trip .
The Pavillions themselves vary considerably in theme. Some countries chose to follow the "Better City, Better Life" theme of the Expo and showcase environmental initiatives. Some countries want to showcase their scenery, culture, goods, food, or some other country specific item. Some show movies. Some are fun for kids. Some are just bizarre, while others are vary bland. Most of the European pavillions and many of the others have cafes or restaurants located on the side or inside the pavillion itself.
The Pudong side is all the country specific pavillions while the Shanghai side is more commercial oriented. The Shanghai side has the Coca Cola Pavillion, China Aviation Pavillion, China Railway Pavillion, and a few other interesting ones. Unfortunately I didn't make it over there in the three days we were there.
To get an idea in three days, and including the grouped pavillions, we saw a total of 71 different countries out of close to 200 total. That was going full out for two days (10.5 hours total each day) and a shorter 3.5 hour visit on the 3rd day.
So here are some tips for any visit:
1) Target one zone per day, maximum of 2. Zone A comprises most of north Asia as well as the Indian sub-Continent. Zone B has Australia, Thailand, and more of South Asia and the Pacific. Zone C is Europe and the Americas. Zones D and E are the commerical side.
2) Go for an evening entry when the crowds are down. Evening entry cost is 90 Yuan for 5pm to midnight. Even if you go for three nights it's still cheaper than the 400 Yuan 3 day ticket. Many pavillions close by 10:00pm, but you can see more in two hours from 6:30pm to 8:30pm then you could in 8 hours from 10:00am to 6:00pm. The reason is that a lot of Chinese tour groups are there during the day, but gone by 6pm.
3) No water/liquid allowed to be brought into the park, but no restriction on food. Get through the gate and security check and look for the mini-mart to buy water/drinks at a reasonable price. They've also got infant care centers near the entry to get hot water or take care of other infant needs. Strollers are available if you don't bring your own.
4) Each Pavillion has a stamp. If you want to get the Expo Passport buy it at the official merchandise store near the entry and get it stamped when visiting each pavillion. The Chinese seemed pretty fanatic about this and spent a lot of time running around trying to collect all the stamps in their passport. Maybe a cool souvenir for kids, but I passed on doing that.
5) Getting to and from the Expo site by taxi is the best method. The official Expo taxi company is 96822, which is also their phone number. If you are reasonable close call them to come get you and take you there as a lot of Shanghai taxi driver seem clueless as to where the expo gates are located. When exiting the Taxi stands are well stocked with taxis so queueing time is pretty quick. Line 7 of the metro would get you closest to the site if you want to go via metro ( good for crews staying out in WaiGaoQiao ). Line 6 to GaoKe Xi Lu to change to Line 7.
6) On site transportation is good. There are electric buses running around to go from one side of the site to the other and there are ferries on the river to go from the Pudong side to the Shanghai side.
7) If you do go during the day head for the less popular pavillions or joint pavillions to avoid the lines.
Typhoonpilot
First of all the Expo site is massive in scale. There is no scale on the map, but I'd guess at least 3 kilometers in length and close to 1 kilometer wide on the Pudong side and close to 2 kilometers long and 500 meters wide on the Shanghai side. There is no practical way to see the entire Expo in a 3 day trip. To see everything there would take a minimum of 7 days. That is important point number one. Any person planning a visit needs to target one specific area per day otherwise it's just not possible to enjoy the experience.
The information on the official website is pretty poor. There is some good stuff there, but it isn't that helpful in planning a trip. Expo wesbsite
The Expo grounds contain Pavillions from most of the countries of the world. The more affluent countries built their own pavillions, while some of the smaller less affluent ones have common buildings with multiple countries represented. Examples would be the Africa Pavillion, Central and South America Pavillion, Pacific Pavillion, and Caribbean Community Pavillion.
The most popular pavillions are China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Germany, USA, UK, Spain, Australia, and a few others. Those pavillions have up to a 2 hour waiting line during the daytime. In the case of China if you are not there to reserve an entry time early in the morning then forget it. They restrict the number of entries per day and those are gone by 9:05 am. I think the only way to get in is to queue very early in the morning or get on a tour group that has an entry time. I didn't even try based on what I'd been told.
If you are travelling with a baby in a stroller ( officially age one and under ) or with an elderly person in a wheelchair or over age 80 then you can cut in line at many of the pavillions. That can save a huge amount of time so by all means borrow somebody's baby for your trip .
The Pavillions themselves vary considerably in theme. Some countries chose to follow the "Better City, Better Life" theme of the Expo and showcase environmental initiatives. Some countries want to showcase their scenery, culture, goods, food, or some other country specific item. Some show movies. Some are fun for kids. Some are just bizarre, while others are vary bland. Most of the European pavillions and many of the others have cafes or restaurants located on the side or inside the pavillion itself.
The Pudong side is all the country specific pavillions while the Shanghai side is more commercial oriented. The Shanghai side has the Coca Cola Pavillion, China Aviation Pavillion, China Railway Pavillion, and a few other interesting ones. Unfortunately I didn't make it over there in the three days we were there.
To get an idea in three days, and including the grouped pavillions, we saw a total of 71 different countries out of close to 200 total. That was going full out for two days (10.5 hours total each day) and a shorter 3.5 hour visit on the 3rd day.
So here are some tips for any visit:
1) Target one zone per day, maximum of 2. Zone A comprises most of north Asia as well as the Indian sub-Continent. Zone B has Australia, Thailand, and more of South Asia and the Pacific. Zone C is Europe and the Americas. Zones D and E are the commerical side.
2) Go for an evening entry when the crowds are down. Evening entry cost is 90 Yuan for 5pm to midnight. Even if you go for three nights it's still cheaper than the 400 Yuan 3 day ticket. Many pavillions close by 10:00pm, but you can see more in two hours from 6:30pm to 8:30pm then you could in 8 hours from 10:00am to 6:00pm. The reason is that a lot of Chinese tour groups are there during the day, but gone by 6pm.
3) No water/liquid allowed to be brought into the park, but no restriction on food. Get through the gate and security check and look for the mini-mart to buy water/drinks at a reasonable price. They've also got infant care centers near the entry to get hot water or take care of other infant needs. Strollers are available if you don't bring your own.
4) Each Pavillion has a stamp. If you want to get the Expo Passport buy it at the official merchandise store near the entry and get it stamped when visiting each pavillion. The Chinese seemed pretty fanatic about this and spent a lot of time running around trying to collect all the stamps in their passport. Maybe a cool souvenir for kids, but I passed on doing that.
5) Getting to and from the Expo site by taxi is the best method. The official Expo taxi company is 96822, which is also their phone number. If you are reasonable close call them to come get you and take you there as a lot of Shanghai taxi driver seem clueless as to where the expo gates are located. When exiting the Taxi stands are well stocked with taxis so queueing time is pretty quick. Line 7 of the metro would get you closest to the site if you want to go via metro ( good for crews staying out in WaiGaoQiao ). Line 6 to GaoKe Xi Lu to change to Line 7.
6) On site transportation is good. There are electric buses running around to go from one side of the site to the other and there are ferries on the river to go from the Pudong side to the Shanghai side.
7) If you do go during the day head for the less popular pavillions or joint pavillions to avoid the lines.
Typhoonpilot
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