On April 20, all of the pavilions in the World Expo Park went into trial operation for the first time.

After 8a.m., there was a period of turmoil in the safety inspection entrance, and the restricted channel was crammed with people. Because visitors normally enter the Expo Park at 9a.m, 8a.m. became a rush hour for staff.

Security inspection was complicated; all packages had to be opened, including computers and mobile phones. As time went by and large groups of tourists kept coming, discontent and resentful moods intensified.

After all the tourists’ channels were open for staff inspection at 8:20a.m., the staff members began to flock into every entrance. I am sure that the security inspection of that day will leave a deep impression on everyone.

The World Expo Park embraced a total of 200,000 visitors that day. Our trial operation involved effulgent, gracefully charming maids in Tang suits, grand and brilliant, dancing "Over the Daming Palace." The visitors rushed to take photos, marking this unforgettable experience and expecting a visit to Xi'an.

However, one hour after the opening of the China Pavilion, everything broke down. In my view, this situation was the very embodiment of our rising and overwhelming patriotic fervor. As a result, the United Kingdom Pavilion, the United States Pavilion, Australian Pavilion, etc. broke down in succession. A large group of visitors who had reserved tickets online a few days ago could not enter the pavilions because of the overcrowded passageways. A heavy rain at lunchtime made the situation even worse.

Daming Palace Pavilion welcomed 2000 visitors on April 20. The streamlined tour route helped every visitor here have a good time. The visitors were able to enjoy beauties in Tang suits while waiting to seeing films.

This is a tough day. Some visitors commented jokingly online, "security relies on hands (they touch your whole body), transportation relies on feet (no other form of transport), communication relies on voices (no signals, due to the crowd), rain-sheltering relies on shivers (no free rainwear available for changeable weather in Shanghai)." Though the description is somewhat exaggerated, it was indeed the true picture of that day.

I think this roughness is temporary and will not last for long.

By Liu Lei