A Sneak Peak at the Expo Park
With just 170 days to go until the opening of Expo 2010, I got a chance to visit the Expo Park, which is still under construction, and take a sneak peak at what promises to be the hottest place in Shanghai (and perhaps in the world) next year.
Living in Shanghai, we hear and see news about Expo 2010 every day – whether we are watching TV, listening to the radio, surfing the Internet, or walking on the street. I always proudly tell my family and friends that my work is closely related to Expo 2010. Over the coming year, my colleagues and I will tell you a story about General Motors and Expo 2010. We will paint you a vivid picture of the future – the year 2030 to be exact – when automotive technologies will bring positive changes to our lives.
My everyday work is centered on Expo 2010: planning our SAIC–GM Pavilion and running GM's official Expo 2010 website (I feel bad… I have been working on this website since I sketched the framework on a blank sheet of paper. Now the website is becoming more popular by the day, and I have only started my first blog). However, this was the first time that I actually entered the Expo Park. I was so excited that I could not help but take photos nonstop like a child and keep asking all kinds of questions of my Expo Bureau colleagues.
I cannot wait to share my “spy” photos with you. Expo 2010 is really not that far away...
I just passed the entrance of the Expo Park and saw the PLA soldiers, who are now based in the park, receiving intensified training to ensure the security of Expo 2010.
In front of us is the Expo Axis. It looks a little dark through the car windshield :-( .
Expo Axis
Location: Central area of the Pudong Expo Park
Key Function: The Expo Axis is a large, integrated commercial and traffic complex; it is the largest single project and the central traffic point at the Expo site Post-Expo 2010 Usage: Permanent architecture
I had never been so close to the China National Pavilion. My colleague at the Expo Bureau told me that in order to find the most official “China Red,” a mini "Oriental Crown" was built nearby and coated with different shades of red for the final selection. In the end, the current color stood out. It is brilliant and dazzling.
China National Pavilion
Location: Zone A, Pudong Expo Park (east of the Expo Axis)Total Construction Area: 160,100 square meters
Post-Expo 2010 Usage: The China National Pavilion will be preserved as a permanent museum, while the Chinese Province Pavilion will be used as a venue for exhibitions and other future events
Expo Center: It seems the construction has been completed
Location: Zone B, close to the Binjiang area (east of the Lupu Bridge)
Total Construction Area: 140,000 square meters Post-Expo 2010 Usage: It will be preserved and transformed into a world-class conference center
Pan-Africa Pavilion: The largest among the 11 joint pavilions; although there are many countries participating, the pavilion is nearly completed, while the painting of the exterior has been completed Building Area: More than 26,000 square meters
Highlight: Strong African elements
Location: Zone C
This photo gives you an idea of the signage in the Expo Park. Next year, if you want to make the most of your trip to the Expo Park and see the most exciting pavilions, you need to do your homework and plan ahead.
Remember to make the SAIC-GM Pavilion among the top three on your must-see list (it is okay if you put the China National Pavilion and the Expo Axis ahead of our pavilion), otherwise you will regret it later on .
This is the U.S. National Pavilion, which is under construction. The theme of the pavilion is also related to 2030, so we at GM regard it as our sister pavilion.
The brown building behind the highway is the Australia National Pavilion.
Australia National Pavilion:
Theme: "ImagiNation"
Highlights: Carved curved walls with a red ochre exterior
Location: Zone B
A panoramic view of the Expo Park from the Lupu Bridge.
The UFO-shaped white building is the Expo Performing Arts Center; it will also be preserved after the completion of Expo 2010.
The white structure in the lower right corner of the picture is one of the piers at the Expo Park. After visiting the China National Pavilion, you will easily be able to take a boat from the pier to the SAIC-GM Pavilion on the other side of the river while enjoying the river scenery.
Puxi Expo Park site. Note that our SAIC-GM Pavilion is right at the bend in the Huangpu River. It is circled in red.
Our pavilion is still under construction. But next year, it will offer you many surprises.
Please note that this photo was not taken by me. You have probably seen it many times on our website. This is what our pavilion will look like next year.
SAIC-GM Pavilion
Construction Area: 6,000 square meters
Theme: Drive to 2030
Pavilion Design Concept: The SAIC-GM Pavilion is inspired by nature and an automobile body; the external spiral design conveys promise and progressiveness while lines and other elements from the automotive industry symbolize “the road to the future”
Location: Zone E, Puxi Expo Park site
We welcome you to visit our SAIC-GM Pavilion next year. Drive to 2030 with us...
As I was leaving, I turned around and saw the beautiful sunset on the other side of the Lupu Bridge.
Shanghai is a beautiful city. I feel proud to be part of the city and honored to be part of Expo 2010. We will present an unforgettable experience to more than 70 million visitors from around the world…
There are not many days left for the expo opening. How time flies!