Like most Expo visitors, I felt like a drop in the ocean during my first day. The official claim that a restaurant is always just a five-minute-walk from anyplace at the Expo seemed impossible to me. I couldn't even find one!
It took me a few days of exploring the Park to figure out where the restaurants were. Some advice in this matter might be helpful for people who are only going for one day. Here I want to present my personal experience of Expo catering:
1. No high heels
High heels are many girls' favorite shoes, but since you will spend most of the time walking in such a big park, it's inadvisable to wear heels. When you're tired and hungry, you will be utterly miserable if you are wearing high heels when looking for a restaurant. It's wise to put on a pair of comfortable flats.
2. Keep your eyes peeled, follow your nose
Service facilities in the Expo Park are colored gray. These include restaurants, enquiry offices, toilets, rest areas and places providing services for the disabled. For hungry visitors, the grey low-rises are your target. If you see the knife and fork signs, go there directly. During mealtimes, follow your sense of smell; perhaps a restaurant is around the corner.
3. Enjoy authentic delicacies
It's no exaggeration to say you can taste all kinds of delicious food inside the park. To maintain the authenticity of the cuisine, foreign restaurants import their ingredients from their own countries. There are chefs from all over the world in foreign restaurants, while in Chinese restaurants the cooks and waiters are from local areas.
4. Multiple choices
Most food in Chinese restaurants is sold at the same prices as outside the park, so there is no need to worry about paying through the nose. Most customers think the prices are reasonable. In specialty restaurants inside foreign pavilions, the prices are high; however it's worth paying a little extra since the chance to taste such a wide variety of food is rare.
5. Share
Many people have eyes bigger than their stomach; it's impossible to taste everything. For example, at the Chinese cuisine area in Zone B, visitors have the chance to taste delicious food from all over the country. You will taste more if you and friends buy different food and share.
In most restaurants, customers can foot the bill by cash or credit cards. While in the Chinese cuisine area in Zone B, customers should top up their prepaid food card at least 100 yuan; they can get a refund afterward if necessary.
6. Keep the park clean
Many visitors will bring food to the park, which is convenient as picnics are fun and easy to enjoy. But to maintain a nice environment inside the park, visitors should throw the garbage into the dustbin.