Visits of Shanghai Expo 2010

  Expo 2010 was held on both banks of the Huangpu River in the city of Shanghai, China, from May 1st to 31st October 2010. The theme of the exposition was "Better City – Better Life". The Shanghai World Expo was the largest World's Fair site ever at 5.28 square km. Over 73 million people had visited during the 184-day event, and 189 of the world's 196 nations and 50 organizations had participated. Without doubt, pavilions were most important during Expo. During the expo, the expo site was crowded with national pavilions, sculpture gardens, shops, a sports arena and clam-shaped performing arts center.[1] 

Expo Opening Night Fireworks

Expo Axis Night Time

  I was so lucky because I was working at Shanghai in 2010 and I had time to visit Expo 2010 many times. My greatest impression about Expo 2010 was that the expo site was crowded with people and there were long waiting lines. Although I was tired, I wanted to visit the exposition with my relatives and friends again and again because of different cultures, arts, thoughts, experience and so on.

  The China Pavilion was magnificent and spectacular. The inspiration was from corbel bracket, a type of crossbeam popularly used in traditional Chinese buildings. Massive bars were used to support the sloping brackets. The entire pavilion was painted bright red to resemble a "ding," a type of ancient bronze cauldron.[2] You could feel the glory, confidence, wisdom and knowledge of the Chinese people. Inside it the hand scroll Song Dynasty masterpiece Along the River During the Qingming Festival was re-adapted as a large-scale 3D animation[1] and visitors could even hear the voice from the screen. Through all these, we could get a fresh feel of the culture of China again.

China Pavilion

  I appreciated the Canada Pavilion with its theme of "The Living City: Inclusive, Sustainable, Creative". I expected the life of Australian boy. He told his player that he would become an astronaut who could play guitar as well. I sympathized in and respected Poland people. There were so many wars in this country but they are still living there. I was impressed with German high technology. The centerpiece of the pavilion was a massive LED swinging ball that interacted in turn with the volume of the audience[3]. The gorgeous Nepal Pavilion was in the form of an ancient Buddhist temple in Kathmandu, surrounded by traditional Nepalese houses[4], and captured important historic moments of the city. I also envied Norway’s nature and peaceful. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion was designed to resemble a giant oil tanker and you felt like you were flying over cities and deserts when you entered and saw the largest movie. A roof garden at the top of the Swiss Pavilion can be accessed via chair lift from the ground to the roof. Maybe this was the pioneer house for future.
  Many people stayed at the exposition until closing time. Although they were tired, I could feel their excite and regret. Everyone told each other which pavilions they had visited, what they had seen, and what they were interested in. They always said they were regretful that they did not have enough time and it was worth visiting many other pavilions.

References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_pavilion_at_Expo_2010
[2] http://english.cri.cn/6909/2010/01/21/1781s544131.htm
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_2010_pavilions#Germany
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_2010_pavilions#Nepal