I often get asked for advice about Shanghai World Expo now that I work there every day. Here's a few suggestions and other random thoughts.
As we go into the summer months, yes it is very hot and humid and yes there are a lot of people! Many of my suggestions for Expo definitely have a lot to do with dealing with the heat and people...
- Don’t come at 9 AM when the gate opens – masses of people line up for hours before 9AM open because Expo Bureau gives away tickets to line up at China Pavilion to the first 50,000 or so (note: it is a ticket to get into a line, much like at Disney World--you stand in line for up to two hours after you get in the line). After that first push, the lines are much shorter. Here’s a fun chart if you want to see patterns of how busy different days and times are--http://en.expo2010.cn/yqkl/index.htm
- Don’t come at end of month – the city of Shanghai gave each household one free ticket, but the tickets have an expiration date, which is typically last day of the month. The end of month is nutty.
- Come in late afternoon and stay for evening – less people, shorter lines, somewhat cooler (though it’s still pretty hot at night now too), and the pavilions lit up at night is actually one of my favorites parts.
- Get dinner at one of the pavilions – many of the country pavs have food options. Spain’s tapas place (towards the right of the line), Mexico’s fast food but good dishes, margaritas and Coronas, and Indonesia's restaurant are all casual and fast options that you don’t have to line up for and can enter without going through the pavilion. If you get reservation at France, Spain, or Italy pavilion's fine dining establishments, it might cost an arm but you get Michelin starred food and fast track entry into the Pavilions (though confirm that when you book)
- Check out the "small" pavilions. The smaller pavilions have shorter lines but some very cool content. Think smaller Asian countries, Africa, Central/Eastern Europe, Caribbean and Middle East. I heard Iran was interesting. There are also a lot of fairly large but less well known pavilions like Egypt, which was designed by Zaha Hadid and has amazing authentic artifacts. I think Thailand’s line might be a little longer these days, but theirs is super fun.
- Try some of the "big" pavilions closer to 8, 9pm. Australia, UK, Canada, those that have a few hours of lines during the day you can probably get in with minimal wait at that time. However, be aware that many pavilions close at 10pm and will cut off their lines at some point before then
- Pudong (Zone A, B, C) has the country pavilions and Puxi on the other side of the river (Zone D, E) houses the corporate and Urban Best Practice City pavilions. I do think Pudong should be your first stop, but Puxi is definitely worth the trek if you have time. I think the corporate pavilions have the some of the best night displays -- Oil and State Grid, not surprisingly have been allocated ridiculous amounts of power to light their pavilion exteriors in the evening. The Urban Best Practice Area is actually pretty cool if you like museum-type experiences and you have more time to spend. Madrid Pavilion is my favorite, cool architecture, fantastic content on urban renewal in the city, and great tapas restaurant on the 3rd floor.
- The “chop”... For whatever reason, the Expo passport is all the rage, and public goes nuts to collect passport stamps from the pavilions. I don’t have one, though I will get one soon. It’s kind of cool though to fill your “passport” with visits to so many countries from around the world. Honestly, when will you ever get to visit Palestine, Syria and Monaco in a span of 30 minutes. The joint country pavilions are key if you are going for stamp volume.
- Don’t get stuck on seeing the inside of all of the pavilions. The exterior architecture is the best part of many. You'll see some amazing stuff just walking around, there are a few things like Denmark’s Little Mermaid and the sculpture at Luxembourg you can see without going inside. My votes for coolest exterior = UK, Spain, China, Scandinavians of course, State Grid and Oil at night.
Other random thoughts...
- Japan Business Pavilion has the best ice cream (green tea, chocolate and vanilla in cone, 20rmb) and also good takoyaki (35rmb for 8 in a box, 40rmb with soda)
- All of the transportation is free within Expo, including buses, ferry and subway between Puxi and Pudong. You can also rent one of those golf carts for 10rmb at some stations too.
- Beware the silent electric buses. Seriously, you don't hear them coming and they definitely do not slow down for pedestrians.
- The bathrooms are generally OK but ladies beware that most are squatter. You can identify a Western stall if the door is close to the floor, usually the last stall in the row. A step up will be squatter.
- Best photo op that I have seen for the China Pavilion so far is from in front of the Theme Pavilions in Zone B/C and also the covered walkway between that area and China Pav.
