Bearing cameras and smiles, Western eyes squint in the abundant sunshine as they stroll about the World Expo grounds immersed in the grandeur and diversity of pavilions and exhibitions, and welcomed heartily by the flowers of an arresting Shanghai spring.

Nicolas is one among the thousands of visitors. He is the executive vice president of the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, the largest public hospital in Europe. He and his team came to visit the Expo after attending the International Medical Forum held in Changzhou, a city near Shanghai.

"It's our first time to China," Nicolas said, "Shanghai is an impressive city. It looks modern and beautiful – different from Paris. We get a sense of the vastness of Shanghai and China's great progress."

The team members, also medical professionals, were excited. They marveled at the immensity of the Expo and its international atmosphere. Their priorities on their Expo tour were the French and then Chinese Pavilion. This Expo's theme, "Better City, Better Life," greatly resonated with them, and they hoped to learn about possible solutions to the ecological and environmental problems at some of the exhibitions.

The travel group from Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital based in Paris, the largest public hospital in Europe. Mr. Nicolas (L4) is the executive vice president of the hospital. [China.org.cn / Xu Lin]

Another visitor is Anniina Koivula, a journalist from Finland. She lived in Shanghai previously, so she's quite familiar with the city.

Ms. Anniina Koivula, a journalist from Finland [China.org.cn / Xu Lin]

"Shanghai is like a future city; everything is so new, and it's developing fast," Koivula said.

She favored the Bund, an area of around 50 historical houses and buildings that sit along the Huangpu River in the shadow of the People's Heroes Monument. She remarked that the French Concession, a tranquil and picturesque place that unites Chinese and Western sentiments, was one of her primary spots to relax and reflect. Koivula considered herself fortunate to participate in the Expo's opening ceremony. She admired the blend of tradition with futurism. The fireworks impressed her, and she said the organizers had done a superb job.

The cultural diversity and the ways each country chose to portray itself fascinated Koivula. Many people she interviewed said that the Expo was a once in a lifetime experience.

Koivula cited Iceland's pavilion as one of the most impressive.

"There's absolutely nothing inside, no exhibition, but they show an amazing movie about Iceland on all the walls and ceiling! So simple yet so effective," she said.

She also praised the Finnish Pavilion, noting the striking beauty of the architecture.

"It really stands out among the other pavilions, and the interior stirs the mind," she said.

According to Koivula, Finland is intensely focused in the field of clean-energy technologies. Their lifestyle has traditionally been close to nature, and environmental protection has been a priority. She said Finland has developed several new technologies and innovations, and she's happy they're bringing these to China, for example, waste-treatment solutions and new means for acquiring energy.

Although she loved the Expo overall, she suggested it would be even better if more information and tips could be provided for non-Chinese speakers.