The 2010 World Expo organizers will put in place a reservation system to curb the expected crowds of people waiting to visit the China pavilion, the host nation's public face at the Shanghai mega event.

"We expect a huge influx of tourists aspiring to check out the China pavilion," said the bureau chief of Shanghai World Expo Coordination. "The reservation system will prevent visitors from wasting their time just waiting."

The structure, nicknamed the Oriental Crown, is viewed by many as a must-see at the 2010 cultural gala.

The 69.9-m-high building is designed to receive 50,000 visitors every day, but between 400,000 to 500,000 people are expected to enter the gates each day, which means upwards of 90 percent could miss a chance for an inside tour.

To cope with the huge demand, the organizers will ask visitors to make reservations first. About two dozen offices and 180 machines have been planned for reservation purposes in the 5.28-sq-km expo garden.

The reservation system will also be applied in the Theme Pavilion, where the host country will explore the party's theme of "Better City, Better Life", and venues to host popular performances. Some foreign pavilions have been advised to adopt the system as well, in order to curb the potential crowding.

The previous world fairs also had to cope with a huge influx of visitors. For example, the 1970 Osaka Expo in Japan had to shut down the expo garden temporarily to control the huge influx of visitors. In addition, the Shanghai Expo organizers are evaluating a proposal to extend the exhibitions at pavilions owned by the host country.

With an exhibition area of 10,000 sq m, or the size of 1.4 soccer fields, the structure will help visitors see, experience and feel the essence of Chinese wisdom and culture, as well as discover Chinese-style solutions for the future of urbanization.

Attractions include a 100-m version of the panoramic painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", screened on the north wall of the top floor, a cable car ride on a 10-minute trip along an elevated zigzag rail, and blossoming city showing how the Chinese will address future challenges in urbanization.

(China Daily January 22, 2010)