If a trip to the Expo Park is like a banquet, replete with dishes (or pavilions) from every corner of the world, then the souvenirs one can purchase there are like dessert. Knick-knacks and memorabilia are a fantastic way to top off a visit to the Shanghai World Expo.

Haibao toys are for sale at a licensed products store of the Expo 2010.

For most visitors, enjoying a shopping spree at one of the Expo Park's many souvenir shops has become an integral part of the Expo experience, in addition to checking out the numerous pavilions and performances featured there. According to the Shanghai Expo Licensed Product Department, about 15,000 different products are available for purchase at the Expo Park. These items fall into 29 categories, including garments, toys, accessories and personal-care products.

It would not be an overstatement to say that you can find nearly any kind of souvenir you might want at the park. Rare and hard-to-find items such as rosewood combs and crystal handicrafts have proved to be particularly impressive to souvenir hunters.

Affordability is key

In an effort to meet the demands of visitors, affordability has been one of the top concerns for developers of Expo-licensed products. Reasonable prices ensure that no shopper will leave the park empty-handed. According to the licensed product department, about 83 percent of the items on sale are priced at or below 500 yuan (about $74); in comparison, only 5 percent of the items are priced at or above 5,000 yuan (about $735).

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Convenience has been another focus for Expo organizers. Eighty Expo franchise product stores are scattered around the park, making it easy and convenient for shoppers to find what they're looking for. Guests can easily pick up a souvenir or two in between trips to the park's pavilions and restaurants.

Haibao toys and cellphone accessories have proved to be the most popular for visitors. According to Xin Juehui, sales manager of the Shanghai Expo Licensed Product Department, the average visitor spends around 20-30 yuan (about $3-4) on Expo products.

"I bought Haibao plush toys in various sizes as gifts for friends and relatives," said one visitor, Mr. Li from Zhejiang Province. For those who don't have a chance to visit the Expo, Haibao souvenirs are the best gifts, he added.

For those visitors who are keen on investing, buying Expo-themed gold and silver coins might be the best choice. According to Xin, gold and silver Expo coins minted by the Beijing-based China Gold Coin Corporation have completely sold out and their values have already shot up in secondary sales markets. Expo commemorative stamps and photo albums will also appreciate in the future, Xin added.