Chocolate lovers in second heaven at Expo Garden

The desserts on sale are produced on the spot.

By the end of this year, visitors to Shanghai can have a chocolate-filled day at the former Expo Garden.

Just like amazing scenes from the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, organizers will turn the former Expo Garden into a mouth-watering park, named Chocolate Happy Land.

The chocolate paradise, covering 30,000 square meters, consists of eight themed pavilions reconstructed from former expo country pavilions. About 10,000 visitors are allowed to visit the park at a time.

Park organizers plan to apply for at least 10 awards in Guinness World Records next year.

Among the theme pavilions, the Chocolate Kingdom is the most stunning and eye-catching.

Covering about 2,000 square meters, it comprises a castle, cameos on the wall and sculptures. The castle, which is the key element in the kingdom, is 10 meters high. Spreading over 400 square meters, it is made of more than 300 tons of chocolate. Among the figures "appointed to guard" the castle are famous sculptures including David, Venus and The Thinker.

There are also scenic spots comprised of mini ancient palatial structures, such as the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City.

Sweet Paradise - one of the cutest pavilions - is filled with flowers and trees as well as mushrooms, which are made of colorful candies, chocolate and appetizing biscuits. Under the apple tree are the life-size biblical figures, Adam and Eve.

A waterfall, 8 meters tall and 10 meters in wide, flows into a stream that is brightened with fluorescent lights.

For those who plan to bring home some souvenirs, there is a shopping street that sells all kinds of chocolates and cakes of different flavors, including rose chocolates, wasabi chocolates, cup cakes and macaroons.

Visitors can see the production process of the signature desserts via the window of each store.

Although all buildings in the park are made of chocolate, visitors should not taste the walls. Organizers say, if they do, they'll be surprised by the weird taste as all the walls have been specially treated. Free tasting counters, however, are available everywhere in the park.

lixinzhu@chinadaily.com.cn