The first of six public trials of the facilities at Shanghai's Expo Park began today (20 April), with the city's transport systems coming under test just as much as the operation of the site itself.

The tests are scheduled to run from 09.00 until 18.00 daily, with at least 70 per cent of the site's pavilions planned to be open to visitors. These are in addition to its five permanent structures - the China Pavilion, the Expo Boulevard, the Expo Centre, the Theme Pavilion and the Expo Culture Centre - which are expected to host thousands of guests.

Visitors will be able to use all the infrastructure facilities, try out business services and watch certain performances such as the Expo parades. The park's security, park staff and volunteer preparations will also be under intense scrutiny.

Around 1.25 million people are anticipated to attend the previews - with around 500,000 of these expected on Sunday - and they have been encouraged to use public transport to get there. Visitors have a choice of five different Metro lines, one of them a dedicated Expo-only route; 36 bus routes; 4,000 special Expo taxis; and ferries from four different points on the Huangpu River.

They won't, however, be able to drive to the site. There is no parking provision for private vehicles.

Shanghai World Expo 2010, whose theme is 'Better City, Better Life', runs from 1 May to 31 October and is expected to welcome around 70 million visitors. The site - along both sides of the Huangpu River between the Nanpu and Lupu Bridges - will have thirteen entrances, eight by land, one underground and four by water.

Pic: Haibao, the Shanghai Expo mascot. Image copyright Johndhackensacker3d