15 tips saving you from mistakes

• Source: Global Times
• [11:03 April 30 2010]
• Comments

1. Pay attention to your ticket type. Visitors holding standard-day tickets have no access to the Expo Park during certain designated days.

2. It's best to read the visitor guidelines. Lighters, matches, long umbrellas with metal tips, sharp items, scooters, skateboards, and wheeled shoes are strictly prohibited. Strollers, hand-pushed wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs are allowed.

3. If you are bringing drinks into the Expo site they may be taken from you at the security gates. You can use drinking fountains inside the Expo Park and buy soft drinks at a relatively low price from vendors. There are also many restaurants in the Expo site.

4. The security checks at the entrance gates will be time consuming. Bringing small bags will save time.

5. Try to plan your day before you go. Mark out what you want to see and try to stick to your plan. The Expo site is huge, and one day will not be enough to see it all in one go. You can always go back another day if your main attractions are spread throughout the site.

6. Private cars and non expo taxis are not allowed to get into the Expo entrance roads. Apart from the subway, bus services are a wise choice. 42 bus lines were exclusively established for the Expo. Bus stops are placed no more than 50 meters away from the Expo Park.

7. There are 13 entrances at the Expo. Many visitors will be entering the site from Shangnan Road and South Xizang Road. The other entrances might be less crowded, and quicker to enter.

8. The Puxi section of the Expo Park is likely to be more comfortable and less crowded than the Pudong section.

9. If you want to visit popular pavilions such as the China Pavilion, you had better make a ticket reservation as soon as you enter the Expo site or a long wait will await you.

10. There are 22 reservation zones placed throughout the Expo site. Each zone has 8 reservation machines (176 machines in total).

11. Be prepared for long queues. You can first learn about some basic information, such as what the queue is for, what attraction awaits you, how long you will have to wait and how many entrances there are. You can go to the front of the line and ask the pavilion assistants if there is no information poster.

12. Standard visiting hours: May 1 to May 7, October 1 to October 7, weekends, summer vacations, and from 10:00 to 13:00 on weekdays, are peak times. You can plan your visit to miss the bulk of the crowds and save precious time. Shows will be staged after 5 pm. The night views of the park will be amazing. You can buy tickets to explore the night views of the Expo Park.

13. Try to listen to the radio broadcast inside the Expo Park. It will tell you which pavilions are crowded and how long it will take to get through a queue. If encounter with any problems, you can turn to well trained volunteers for help.

14. Put this number in your phone. 86-21-962010. It's the customer service hot line: You can also check the official website for information: www.expo2010.cn

15. Last but not least, have fun and enjoy the Expo.

Oriental Morning Post