(5) Country specialties
A giraffe carved out of wood stands among a variety of products in the Africa Joint Pavilion's souvenir store. |
For most Chinese Expo goers, the Expo Park is the most convenient place for them to buy the specialty products of far away countries.
At the Austria Pavilion, for example, visitors can pick out a gift by Swarovski, maker of luxury crystal jewelry. Crystal-studded pendants and necklaces are popular, but one of the favorites is a black T-shirt studded with crystals.
The koala and kangaroo plush toys at the Australia Pavilion's souvenir shop enchant many visitors, too. People can also find skin care products made of sheep oil as well as products made of kangaroo skin at the shop. Yellow Earth brand snow boots also have been a hit, especially among young women.
The Africa Joint Pavilion and the Pacific Pavilion are popular shopping venues. Black pearls from Tahiti and bone handicrafts from Africa are particularly well-liked.
Nesting dolls are popular traditional handicrafts from Russia. |
(6) Models
Feel crazy about some exhibits? Maybe a model is what you need.
One of the favorite exhibits at the Expo has to be the Hungary Pavilion's G?mb?c – a huge 3-meter wide by 3-meter tall object that always rights itself if tipped over. Some people have been so fascinated by it that they have contemplated it for hours. But if you still haven't had enough of the G?mb?c when it's time to go, why don't you take a steel model home. But don't just consider the price – 1,000 yuan (about $150) – the model is also heavy.
Various ship models in the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Pavilion also catch a lot of attention. Models of sailing boats, fishing boats and naval vessels can all be found here, priced from less than 100 yuan (about $15) to several thousands of yuan.
Airplane models are naturally a top seller at the China Aviation Pavilion – about 90 percent of the souvenirs at the pavilion are model planes. One of the colorful models at the pavilion is even named "Shanghai Expo."
The latest model planes draw the eyes of children at the China Aviation Pavilion. |
Tips:
1. Some of the pavilion souvenir shops are separate from their respective pavilions. So visitors don't necessarily have to wait in line for hours to get into souvenir shops.
2. Some pavilions have special offers for certain products. Also, although bargaining is not customary in most shops, the Africa Joint Pavilion encourages haggling.
3. If you're going to buy a big souvenir, wait until you're ready to leave the Expo Park before doing so. Many pavilions do not let visitors enter with a big package.