Following on from a hugely successful Summer Olympics in 2008, China is set to host another major world class event – this time focusing on Shanghai.   Expo 2010 Shanghai China is being held from 1st May through to 31st October 2010.  More than 190 countries and more than 50 international organizations have registered to participate in this years Expo.  The event is so large, it will be held on both banks of the Huangpu River in Shanghai.    It is anticipated that the event will draw between 70 to 100 million visitors to the region.   The expo site is crowded with national pavilions, sculpture gardens, shops, and a sports arena and performing arts centre which is shaped like a flying saucer.

If you are planning to visit Expo 2010, we recommend you stay in Shanghai at a hotel close to the Metro Station for easy access.  We anticpate that accommodation will be limited and prices at a premium over this period.  We offer almost 250 hotels in Shanghai, priced from around AUD$50 per night through to AUD$400 per night.  

The Magnificent Plaza Hotel is just a short drive from the Expo Site entrance.  This four star property is located in the heart of Shanghai, surrounded by the Bund, Xin Tian Di, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum and Grand Theatre.   The shopping districts of NanJing Road and HuaiHai Road are within walking distance.   Standard rooms around AUD$100 per night for up to three people and include buffet breakfast daily.  If you plan on travelling with friends or staying for an extended period, there are also a range of serviced apartments and suites in Shanghai. 

Individual Day entry tickets can be purchased or you can buy a 3 or 7 day ticket, or just an evening ticket.  The event runs for 184 days and 17 of these are classed as Peak Days (public holidays etc) – so be sure to check the calender before you buy your tickets. 

There are five central theme pavilions at the Expo 2010, exploring different aspects of urban development.  They are called Urban Footprints, Urban Planet, Urban Dwellers, Urban Beings, and Urban Dreams.   There are also National Pavillions for almost every one of the world’s 196 countries, as well as a range of Corporate Pavillions. 

Entry into some of the most popular attractions – such as the China Pavillion – can be hard to gain.  Tickets are handed out at entry gates when the site opens – around 30,000 tickets are all allocated within just a few minutes of opening.

As the site is so large and is divided by the Huangpu River, the city of Shanghai has constructed a special Expo Public Transport network enabling visitors to reach the Expo Site via rail transit, bus and water transport.   There is one metro line entrance/exit, eight ground entrances/exits, four extra-Site and three intra-Site water gates.

Relax in the evening while soaking up the sights on a Huangpu River Cruise and Bund City Lights evening tour.   This guided evening tour starts with an evening cruise on the Huangpu River, which divides the Bund into two sections, Pu Dong and Pu Xi, which mean ‘east of river’ and ‘west of river’ respectively.   After the cruise,  enjoy a walk along the Bund on your way to the historically famous Peace Hotel, which served as the center of Shanghai’s nightlife in the 1920′s and 30′s.   Then take a trolley tour to enjoy the magnificent night view of Nanjing Road.