There is so much gold glittering at the Shanghai World Expo - from toilets to coins and stamps and even a golden lady and golden pavilions – that you can take a gold-themed Expo tour and take home a few golden mementos.
1. Golden Toilets:- Inax Corp. has installed two Regio gold toilets at the Japan Industry Pavilion.
Inax Corp. Regio Gold Toilets for Shanghai World Expo
Visitors can actually use the toilets starting Sunday, May 29.
2. Golden Lady:- The priceless and iconic Gelle Fra aka the ‘Golden lady of Luxembourg’ was flown in from Luxembourg to Shanghai for the Expo.
Luxembourg's Gelle Fra at the Shanghai Expo
The Golden lady now welcomes visitors to the Luxembourg Pavilion from atop a high pedestrial in front of the pavilion entrance.
3. Golden Pavilions:- Gold-plated China Pavilion models are available for sale as souvenirs.
Gold plated China Pavilion model
UAE Pavilion at Shanghai Expo
Also worth noting is the UAE pavilion whose sand dunes composed of gold-coloured panels (not real gold) makes it look like a large shimmering pile of gold.
4. Expo Stamped Gold collectibles:- Pure gold and collectibles lovers can grab limited edition commemorative Expo gold bars, coins and stamps. The People’s Bank of China issued the coins, the gold bars are from Commercial Gold Co Ltd., and the stamps were made by Shanghai Philatelic Corporation.
Expo Gold Bars
Expo Gold Coins
Expo Gold Stamps
The five pure gold stamps in each set portray the permanent buildings of the Expo Park – the Expo Axis, China Pavilion, Expo Center, Expo Performance Center, and the Theme Pavilion.
5. Gold of the Pharaohs:- The eight exhibits in the Egyptian Pavilion include the gold collar of Queen Ahhotep and the gold mask of Sheshonq II. Egypt paid a $66 million premium for safety insurance.
Gold Mask of Sheshonq II
Queen Ahhotep’s gold collar, which dates back to 1525 BC, supposedly protects mummies and helps them come back to life. The gold mask above dates back to 890 BC.
Photo credits:- Regio – Inax Corp.; Sheshonq – Volunteer Expo; Gelle Fra – Luxembourg Expo 2010; UAE Pavilion – UAE Expo 2010; Other photos – World Expo Bureau
Cool post idea P Ling! Never thought about just finding the “gold” stuff at the Expo.
Agree, agree, agree. :-D See, there is actually something cool within the Expo (even with the crazy, crazy long lines). Today’s number was 500K! *shudders*
Nice article – so what other “Easter Eggs” are to be had at the Expo?