Zhang Li, a university freshman, left her dormitory in northeast Shanghai at 7.30 am yesterday. When she arrived with her two friends in Pudong's Lujiazui area about 90 minutes later, they found themselves at the back of a long queue for the opening of Shanghai Pudong World Carnival.
The carnival wasn't scheduled to open until 3 pm.
"We are just so excited," Zhang said. "We have been waiting for its opening for such a long time. We forgot to check the opening time and besides, we were afraid that the tickets would be sold out if we didn't come early."
The site is a 35,000-square-meter venue beside the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium in Pudong.
It has come to the city through a 70 million yuan (US$8.4 million) investment from a Hong Kong company and the Shanghai government. Organizers say they expect to attract 2.5 million visitors by the time the fair closes on July 27.
The fair features more than 40 rides and an additional 40 games of skill. It was originally set up in mid-May, but the opening was postponed due to the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome.
Admission to the World Carnival is 30 yuan and includes 30 yuan of game coupons.
(Shanghai Daily June 28, 2003)
