Shanghai World Expo Opens

SHANGHAI (AP) -- A steady flow of visitors joined long lines in sweltering heat at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 on Sunday, a day after organizers said visitor numbers were just more than half of what was expected. Organizers say they are still grappling with estimates about just how many people will attend the massive event aimed at showcasing China's rise as a modern industrial power. Early estimates put the number of visitors over the six-month run of the World Expo at 70 million, the vast majority of whom are expected to come from China. High temperatures and bottlenecks at security checks and long waits to enter the various pavilions are challenging organizers. On Saturday, when the event opened, organizers said about 350,000 tickets had been sold for Day 1, but about 200,000 people attended. Events on Saturday continued well into the evening, with people still lining up at midnight to visit pavilions. The European pavilions, which offer a wide range of entertainment, drink and dining, seemed to be attracting the largest crowds. China is splashing out 28.6 billion yuan ($4.2 billion) on the Expo itself, and many billions more on improvements such as public transit for this city of 20 million people. (28 images)

People walk by illuminated fountains, which are synchronized to music during the night of the second day of the Shanghai World Expo Sunday, May 2, in Shanghai, China. AP 

 

Boats carrying flags sail past the largest LED screen ever made showing the national flags of participating countries during the opening ceremony of the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai on April 30. World leaders gathered in Shanghai as the city kicked off the World Expo with a star-studded opening ceremony that ended with skies over the city set ablaze in a massive fireworks show. AFP / Getty Images / Philippe Lopez

In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, fireworks explode over the World Expo Park during the opening ceremony for the 2010 World Expo held in Shanghai, east China, Friday night, April 30. AP / Cheng Min

Fireworks illuminate the sky during the opening ceremony of the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai on April 30. World leaders gathered in Shanghai as the city kicked off the World Expo with a star-studded opening ceremony that ended with skies over the city set ablaze in a massive fireworks show. AFP / Getty Images / Philippe Lopez

Visitors celebrate the opening of the World Expo with a banner which reads "World Expo Opens!" at the World Expo site Friday, April 30, in Shanghai, China. AP

People enjoy a ferry tour around Shanghai, China, after leaving the World Expo site on Sunday, May 2. AP / Muhammed Muheisen

The night scene at the China Pavilion, left, and the Expo Axis, right, on the opening day of the Shanghai World Expo on May 1, in Shanghai, China. The Shanghai World Expo will be held from May 1 to Oct. 31, and is expecting 70 million visitors. Getty Images / Feng Li

Visitors walk past reflections of the illuminated China Pavilion, left, and Sun Valley during the night of the second day of the Shanghai World Expo Sunday, May 2, in Shanghai, China. AP

The Performance center, left, China Pavilion, center, and Sun Valley, right, are illuminated during the night of the second day of the Shanghai World Expo Sunday, May 2, in Shanghai, China. AP

Flag-bearers join the performers at the opening ceremony of the World Expo in Shanghai on April 30. Fireworks illuminated the Shanghai skyline in a blaze of colour as China kicked off the six-month World Expo with a lavish star-studded opening gala attended by a host of world leaders. AFP / Getty Images

The Expo Axis is shown on the second day of the Shanghai World Expo on May 2, in Shanghai, China. The expo, which runs through Oct. 31, is expected to draw 70 million visitors. Getty Images / Feng Li

The China Pavilion is shown on the second day of the Shanghai World Expo on May 2, in Shanghai, China. Getty Images / Feng Li

The United Arab Emirates Pavilion is shown on the second day of the Shanghai World Expo on May 2, in Shanghai, China. Getty Images / Feng Li

A tourist takes photos in front of the United Kingdom Pavilion at the World Expo site in Shanghai, China, Sunday, May 2. A steady flow of visitors joined long lines in sweltering heat at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 on Sunday, a day after organizers said visitor numbers were just more than half of what was expected. AP / Alexander F. Yuan

Visitors queue up to enter the UK Pavilion on the second day of the Shanghai World Expo on May 2, in Shanghai, China. Getty Images / Feng Li

Visitors queue up to enter the France Pavilion on the second day of the Shanghai World Expo on May 2, in Shanghai, China. Getty Images / Feng Li

Visitors wait in queue to enter the Spain Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo Monday, May 3, in Shanghai, China. AP / Eugene Hoshiko

Children play outside China Pavilion on the second day of the Shanghai World Expo on May 2, in Shanghai, China. Getty Images / Feng Li

Chinese girl Qing Qiu, 5, waits her family in front of Greece Pavilion at the World Expo site in Shanghai, China, Sunday, May 2. AP / Muhammed Muheisen

Visitors look at an electronically animated giant baby inside the Spain Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo Monday, May 3, in Shanghai, China. AP / Eugene Hoshiko

A young visitor walk at the Kyrgyzstan Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo Monday May 3, in Shanghai, China. AP

A visitor touches illuminated rods symbolising a bamboo forest inside the Chinese pavilion at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai on May 3. AFP / Getty Images / Philippe Lopez

Visitors look at computer-generated graphic images at the Israel Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo Monday, May 3, in Shanghai, China. AP

Visitors look at a display of screens inside the Spain Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo Monday, May 3, in Shanghai, China. AP / Eugene Hoshiko

Visitors look at a dancer performing the Spain Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo Monday, May 3, in Shanghai, China. AP / Eugene Hoshiko

Guests watch the image film on Iceland including its Eyjafjallajokull volcano at the Iceland Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo Monday, May 3, in Shanghai, China. AP / Eugene Hoshiko

Visitors take the escalator where several Japanese traditional objects are painted on the wall at Japan Pavilion on the second day of the Shanghai World Expo Sunday, May 2, in Shanghai, China. AP

Visitors walk through the pathway with orange-colored windows in the Australia Pavilion on the second day of the Shanghai World Expo Sunday, May 2, in Shanghai, China. AP / Eugene Hoshiko