World Expo 2010 Shanghai China: Puxi Shanghai

Japan Pavilion

Many people expect to see some innovative exhibits with high-tech settings inside the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai. That is why there are always tons of people lining up in front of the pavilion. Located at Zone A of the Pudong section not too far away from Entrance Gate 4, the Japan Pavilion features like a purple silkworm. Having a semi-circular structure outlook, the pavilion is covered by lightweight membrane materials with the erection of a few Eco Tubes on its top. Eco-friendly environmental technologies including the utilization of solar power are integrated into the building design. Rainwater can be stored for use and air can be circulated to reduce environmental burden. As a start touring around the pavilion, we stepped onto an escalator inside a tube. We then watched the displays of the Japanese landscapes in four seasons. The following exhibits were relevant to modern advanced technologies. There was a new model of battery-rechargeable car. There was a display of the Eco heat pump which could boil water efficiently with the use of minimal power to gather heat from the air warmed by the sun. There was a magic floor map. Stomping heavily on the map could produce electricity to turn on the light. The heavier we stomped, the more electricity we could generate. The Japanese had manufactured a lightweight vehicle for a single person use. The vehicle took less space than the conventional cars and allowed more mobility and convenience. Many people are fancy with the electronic music played by a robot violinist. To me, the robot performance is nothing new. Robot technologies have already existed for 30 years. I recalled that I watched a robot draw the face pictures for the visitors in World Expo 1985 at Tsukuba of Japan.

Japanese Industry Pavilion

It takes 2 to 4 hours to wait for the admission to the Japan National Pavilion. If people expect similar displays in the Japanese Industry Pavilion located at Zone D in Expo Puxi, they will be wrong. During our daytime visit to Zone D, we saw a very long waiting queue at the Japanese Industry Pavilion. Instead of waiting for 2 hours, we left the site. When we returned in the evening at the time approaching pavilion closure, the queue was much shorter. After waiting for half an hour, we got into the pavilion but were then disappointed with the shows. There were eight movies introducing the Japanese products. One of them was a 3-D movie, and one of the products was made from soy beams. The movies acted rather like advertisement. They were so boring that we left the pavilion after we had finished watching four.

The robot violinist at the Japan Pavilion

In the Madrid Case Pavilion

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is one of the greenish cities in the world. Owning a case pavilion at the Urban Best Practices Area (UBPA) in Expo 2010 Shanghai, Madrid demonstrates an environmental friendly social housing project as developed by its municipal government for the low-income citizens. There are two parts in the exhibitions, namely the Bamboo House and Air Tree. The Bamboo House mainly serves for displays and exhibitions. The Air Tree provides visitors with a comfortable open area for a rest. The exhibition pathway begins at the top floor of the Bamboo House, and it is connected with an escalator from the ground level where visitors are waiting for admissions. There are separated entrances leading to the Spanish restaurant and souvenir shop. The entire building duplicates the design of the Madrid public housing with the application of ecological materials and installation of renewable energy resources. The outer layer of the House is encrusted with bamboo bark for the purpose of temperature control as well as noise insulation.

Bamboo House (L), Air Tree (R)

The Air Tree, which is adjacent to the Bamboo House, is a cylindrical structure covered all around with large movable window shades. During the day, shades are open to facilitate natural ventilation in the Air Tree. When shades are closed, they become the double-side projection screens for movies and light show performances in the evening. Wind wheels are equipped on the top of the structure, and there is a giant fan turning to ventilate the area under the Tree. Visitors enjoy listening to the lovely music while resting in a refreshing area. The Air Tree can also be served as a platform for a mini concert.

If you visit the Madrid Case Pavilion for the purpose of collecting a stamp, the Pavilion will not make you feel disappointed. A full collection of the stamps from the Madrid, Bilbao, and Barcelona Case Pavilions for your Expo passport will give you the priority to enter the Spain Pavilion through the fast access channel. If you are a fans of the Real Madrid Football Club, you will certainly get something that makes you feel excited.