World Expo Kids Guide

According to Wang Sizheng of the Shanghai Municipal Development Planning Commission–

The Expo is a place of education. In the midst of entertainment, it gives children knowledge and enlightenment. The famous American blind author Helen Keller was deeply touched when she went to the Chicago World Expo in 1893. For her, the World Expos can give hope to the world. So do not let your children miss this opportunity.

Early Morning: Go to the kid’s favorite Puxi pavilion.

Vanke Pavilion

Puxi’s Theme Pavilions, Corporate Pavilions, and the Urban Best Practices Area are basically the essence of the Shanghai World Expo.  Especially that these are more attractive to the children. So why not spend 1 day in the Expo there?

Jiangnan Shipyard

Metro Line 8 stopping at South Xizang Road is the largest and busiest pathway to the Expo. Start from there and enter the old factory converted into the Jiangnan Shipyard which is owned by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation. Inside, you can see the history of China’s system of vessels as well as a model of Zheng He’s treasure ship. From the Jiangnan Shipyard, come out through Nanpu Bridge and read about the  Private Enterprises Joint Pavilion and the Vanke Pavilion. The Vanke Pavilion is made out of 7 golden straw houses with the main building material coming from natural wheat straw. Do not go in anymore. Instead, go straight to the Pavilion of Future.

Private Enterprises Joint Pavilion

The Pavilion of Future is really exceptional. It has an electronic book displayed that constantly flips and turns its pages telling of the philosophy and architecture of the Pavilion of Future. The “ant houses” inside reveal the different kinds and levels of urbanism. The animation appeals very much to a child’s attention and most importantly, imagination.

SAIC-GM Pavilion

After the Pavilion of Future, go directly to the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. General Motors (SAIC-GM) Pavilion whose theme is “Drive to 2030″. They have a film and a car show inside. The movie shows how the transportation system and lifestyle will look like 20 years after: bustling city center, intelligent transport network, even blind people can drive cars, and green charging stations at every corner of the streets.

Coca-Cola Pavilion

Proceed next to the 3,000-square meter Coca-Cola Pavilion. The classic red is guaranteed to spread the happy atmosphere among the kids. “Happiness” is needed especially with the laugh meter. If the meter can detect the “happiness voice” to a certain decibel, the Happiness Workshop’s door will automatically be opened. Coca-Cola actually has a surprise for its happy visitors. When this special bottle of Coke is opened, the liquid inside will solidify into tiny ice crystals.

National Grid Pavilion

Go to the National Grid Pavilion afterwards and get ready for an IMAX experience with LED screens on all four corners, ceiling, and floor.

Continue on to the China Aviation Pavilion. Ride on the intelligent (and trackless) tour vehicle, have a taste of how it is to fly, and know how to operate a plane through its realistic flight simulator.

China Aviation Pavilion

The Shanghai World Expo’s China Aviation Pavilion is the first of its kind in history where one could experience in just 3 minutes and 40 seconds (through its 4D system) aviation dreams/stories coming true, the feel of air technology, urban development, and the future of human life.

Global City Square

After coming this far, go back to the overhead walkway heading to the south area. You will see a square called the Global City Square with tents for shades. At the center of the square is a stage where one can watch performances. Below the chimney, one can see the Pavilion of Future which can be checked out in the afternoon. And since it is 12 noon already, better eat some lunch first. Anyway, the Pavilion of Future is near the overhead walkway and the biggest food court in the Puxi side. It is recommended to eat there.

Pavilion of Future

In the afternoon, proceed to the Urban Best Practice Area where the best from 80 international cities were chosen to participate. Roam the exhibition hall to Barcelona and experience the real Barcelona winds. Next, go to the southern city of Malmo in Sweden where stepping docks for tired tourists can be seen. The ones in Xian and Ningbo are not bad as well.

Urban Best Practices Area

Then quickly take your child to the “Dock Theater” and the “Recreation Bay” which are paradise for kids. The “Dock Theater” can be found in the Puxi area of the Expo and was reconstructed from a real dock. The “Dock Theater” has 4 programs that vary in content, though all have a “travel” theme–”Journey To The West” puppet show, shadow play on “The Three Kingdoms”, “Sesame Street” magic show, and the multimedia presentation starring none other than the World Expo 2010 mascot Haibao.

"Journey To The West" Puppet Show

“Recreation Bay” is an experiential theme park. There are 25 representative industries where children can have a preview of their workplace in the future. For example, they can become reporters; tour guides; work in a power company, water company, banks, police stations, fire stations, hospitals, etc.

World Expo Museum

At night, you could check out the World Expo Museum. And then go out from the Luban Road exit. There is a Metro Line 4 and also buses 17, 36, 146 which departs the Expo.

Afternoon: Explore the Theme Pavilions.

It is suggested that you enter through Gate 6. Once you have entered and passed by the Expo Axis, you will see the Celebration Square. From there, majestic performances take place. Then go next to the Expo Center where all the country pavilions hold their opening ceremony there.

Expo Axis

After visiting the Expo Center, direct yourselves to the Theme Pavilions. There are 2 to 3 pavilions to your east from Asia. And also there is Oman Pavilion, Pakistan Pavilion, Israel Pavilion, Sri Lanka Pavilion, India Pavilion, and Nepal Pavilion. Included in this list is the Saudi Arabia Pavilion which is the pavilion with the highest investment and the biggest IMAX theater in the world. Sneak a peak inside and then go to the Meteo World Pavilion which allows children to be weather presenters. The United Nations Pavilion is good to point out too. Take your dinner and then have a casual stroll to see the Japan and South Korea Pavilions. Go to the Performing Arts Center, see the parade, proceed to the Celebration Square to view the closing ceremony. And then go back to the hotel.

Night: A taste of the World Customs.

Celebration Square

Enter through Gate 7 this time. Then first go to the Swiss Pavilion’s cable car and ride up, up, and away to the Alps. Right beside it is the France Pavilion where one can appreciate the art treasures. Opposite the French is the Germany Pavilion which houses a lot of interactive play items.

Expo Center

In the afternoon, rest in the kite forest of the Mexico Pavilion then proceed to the Russia Pavilion to watch a world of fairy tales. The Belgium-European Pavilion has free chocolates and small cookies. There’s also the how-to-make-chocolates performance. You could stay to eat or go to the Italy Pavilion where you could taste pastas. Next visit the Poland Pavilion and drink their coffee. After which you could check out the Romania Pavilion for their movie and walk around the Holland Pavilion just because. The UK Pavilion? Well, you could just appreciate it from the outside anyway.

If your kid is 12 years old and above, you could give him or her a World Expo Passport; and let him go around on his own, while the adults hang around in the Ireland Pavilion drinking lattes and playing cards.

If you are bringing kids to the Expo, here are some practical tips.

Transportation: You must believe that using Shanghai’s public transport is really easy. Whether you are coming from the plane, the train, or private vehicle–there is always the Expo Line to rely on. The most convenient form of transportation to the Expo is the metro. The Expo Line 7 is just several doors down the subway, and there are free buses which shuttles to the general Expo entrance.

Accommodation: For convenience, deliberately set hotel around the Expo. Though it may not be necessary. However, you can not control traffic; so the suggestion is to select your hotel accommodation near the metro too.

Theme Pavilion

Schedule: The peak time in the morning is 10am. In the afternoon, it is 2pm. The best option is to eat when others are visiting the pavilions and to visit the pavilions when others are eating. When the people are in Pudong, you are in Puxi. When the people are in Puxi, you are in Pudong. Night view of the Shanghai World Expo Park is very beautiful. There are many wonderful performances by 5pm. So going there after dark is also a good idea.

Note: It is recommended to buy 3 tickets. Three days is enough. Lighters, matches, long umbrellas with metal tips, sharp objects, scooters, skateboards, and liquids are not allowed. Water bottles are allowed because there are drinking water fountains inside. Better to not bring a lot of bags and/or packages due to the strict security. It will be an inconvenience.

Also, it is not recommended to bring a baby or a very young child to the Expo during the day. Because of the hot weather and very little shade and because a baby can not regulate his or her body temperature well enough, he or she might get heat stroke. And the place is crowded. People will push against each other. So your baby will be at risk. If you stay in a queue for a long time, air pollution might get the best of your baby. Almost all of the country pavilions have no facilities for younger children. Lastly, multi-dimensional and interactive media might not be suitable for a baby to watch.

So there you have it–CNReviews’ World Expo Kids Guide! This is just a sampling of lots of exciting things to see and do in the Shanghai World Expo 2010. Watch out for more of these guides here in CNR.