Smooth start for Expo with 204,000 visitors

By Jia Feishang | May 2, 2010, Sunday |

Print Edition

THE World Expo 2010 Shanghai finally opened its gates yesterday, with 204,000 enthusiastic visitors touring the 5.28-square-kilometer site.

Visitors who had queued for two hours at the entrances poured in just before 9am when a button to open the site was pressed by top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin and Jean-Pierre Lafon, president of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE).

Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, secretary-general of BIE, said at the site opening ceremony that World Expo 2010 Shanghai would be "the most splendid and unforgettable." He said it would help the world better understand the present, get a glimpse into the future and strengthen cooperation between countries and organizations.

The first-day operation went smoothly. All but seven pavilions did not open yesterday.

The China Pavilion was the hottest venue during the opening day, with all 40,000 reserved tickets to the pavilion distributed within five minutes.

A lucky recipient said he reached the Expo site at 7:30am and was scheduled, according to his ticket, to tour the China Pavilion around 4pm.

Switzerland, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, Italy, South Korea and Spain were also very popular with visitors. Lines of people wound in circles around these pavilions and had to wait two to three hours to get inside.

Expo passports have fast become one of the most popular souvenirs, with visitors able to get them stamped at various pavilions.

With yesterday's temperature climbing above 25 degrees Celsius, the forecast for the next few days is for more sunny conditions.

Expo organizers moved fast, announcing yesterday that they will bring more seats and umbrellas into the site.

Intending visitors are advised to take sunglasses and caps for day wear and a jacket at night for when it cools down and the wind blows up.

Metro

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Smooth start for Expo with 204,000 visitors

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