Moon Boat (Saudi Arabia Expo Pavilion)
Shanghai, China
The Shanghai Expo 2020 was a grand event on an international scale that had countries from all over the world setting up their pavilions in a compound next to the Huangpu river in Pudong district. The amount of money spent on this expo made it the most expensive world fair to date and the whole thing lasted for 6 months. Almost all countries participated in the event and had something to offer the 70 million global citizens who visited. However, as the event wound up after its run, some pavilions were dismantled, fully or partially, while others were repurposed into exhibits or museums. Like the China pavilion which has been converted in to China Art Museum and is free to visit for all.
The Shanghai subway line 13 takes visitors right at the doorstep of the Shanghai Expo center when they disembark at World Expo Museum station on the north bank of the Huangpu river. The Lupu bridge can be seen clear as day from here as can many other huge and unique pavilions set up a decade ago for the Shanghai Expo. The World Expo museum, showcasing history of past expos, is closed on Mondays and timings are from 09:00 to 17:00 (last admittance by 16:15).
One of the original designs much admired within the expo was the Saudi Arabia pavilion. The idea was to build a design reminiscent of an oil tanker with an immense screen to showcase the culture of the country. However, visitors came to identify the shape more with a moon boat than anything else and that is how the pavilion gained its fame. A vast amount of money was expended ($164 million) making this the priciest exhibition hall of a visiting country. The pavilion came second size-wise, the first-place position taken by the Chinese pavilion which occupied a staggering area of 160,000 square meters.
The outside was a boat shape supported by huge pillars. Visitors would line up outside and be admitted on the moving walkway which would take them on a virtual tour of the country’s culture and progress, shown on the biggest IMAX screen (1,600 square meters!) in the world then. They would then come up outside where they were greeted by tents propped up in the sand with palm trees giving shade and giving the real feel of an oasis in the desert; the reality of the landscape of Saudi Arabia. These palm trees and a built mosque were brought in, as is, to China for the exhibit.
The moon boat pavilion had a capacity to cater for 30,000 people at a time but at most only 25,000 guests were invited to prevent congestion. There were long lines of visitors and by the end of the show, almost 4 million people had taken interest in going through the Saudi pavilion. It was reopened in 2011 and has been going till 2016 to welcome a further 7 million visitors fascinated by the shows of Saudi heritage and scenery and the innovative screen.
Other Attractions In Shanghai
Commemoration Exhibition of Expo 2010 Shanghai
The 2010 World Expo had reportedly cost $40 bil...
Dagu Lu
Dagu Lu is a renowned street situated around Pe...
Daning Lingshi Park
Situated on Guangzhong road, Daning Lingshi Par...
Dino Beach
Dino beach is one of Shanghai’s summer destinat...
Disc Kart Indoor Karting
This is a great place for people who want some ...
Dongtai Lu Antiques Market
Dongtai Road Antique Market is located in Luwan...
Duolun Museum of Modern Art
Duolun Museum of Modern Art, Duolun MOMA, is th...
Fengjing Ancient Town
Considered an artist’s delight, the Fengjing An...
French Concession
During 1849 an area of almost 160 acres was con...
Fuxing Island
As Shanghai is a coastal city, there are bound ...
Fuxing Park (Fuxing Gongyuan)
Fuxing park has been grassy retreat since the M...
Gongqing Forest Park
Gongqing Forest Park is considered the second l...
Grand Gateway Shopping Mall
The Grand Gateway Shopping Mall is a trading ve...
Guangqi Park (Tomb of Paul Guangqi)
With many a shopping malls and commercial avenu...
Hengshan Community Church
It is situated along Hengshan road, on the sout...
Hengshan Moller Villa
It takes one 10 minutes to walk to this place f...
Hongkou Soccer Stadium
This is the first soccer stadium ever built in ...
Hongqiao New World Pearl Market
A little under tourists’ radar for the time bei...
Huaihai Lu (Huaihai Road)
Huaihai Lu (Huaihai Road) is a busy street in S...
Hu Xi Mosque
Shanghai Huxi Mosque construction was completed...
Jade Buddha Temple
Went to Shanghai and never paid a visit to the ...
Jing'an Temple
Like an oasis in a desert, the Jing’an (meaning...
Jin Mao Tower
Dominating the skyline in Pudong New District, ...
Jinshan Beach
Jinshan Beach is a charming beach on Xincheng R...
Jinxian Lu
Jinxian Lu is a captivating street in Shanghai ...
Longhua Cemetery of Revolutionary Martyrs
Longhua Cemetery of Revolutionary Martyrs is si...
Longhua Temple
No visit to Shanghai is complete without a peek...
Lupu Bridge
Hailed as an outstanding structure by IABSE whe...
Lu Xun Park (Hongkou Park)
With a foundation laid in 1896 for a shooting r...
Madame Tussauds Shanghai
Madame Tussauds Shanghai can be found on the te...
Maglev train
The Shanghai Maglev Train was built in 2002, re...
Mao Pagoda Lighthouse
Built in the 9th century, the Mao Pagoda Lighth...
Memorial Hall of Artist Zhang Chongren (Qibao)
The Memorial Hall of Zhang Chongren was built a...
Modern Electronic City
This is the most amazing attraction ever and th...
Moganshan Lu (M50 Galleries)
What was once an industrial district has now be...
Moon Boat (Saudi Arabia Expo Pavilion)
The Shanghai Expo 2020 was a grand event on an ...
Nanjing Lu Fake Market - Fenshine Fashion & Accesories Plaza
Nanjing Lu Fake Market is a great place for fak...
Nanjing Road
When a place manages to score 1st position in w...
Nihong Kids' Clothing Market
If you are searching in Shanghai for retail out...
Oriental Arts Center
It is abbreviated as SHOAC and it is located at...
Oriental Pearl TV Tower
This tall tower’s entire structure is neatly ma...
Peace Cinema
The Peace Cinema began its operations in 2004 a...
Pearl & Jewelry Market - First Asia Jewelry Plaza (3rd Floor)
It will not be an exaggeration if you say that ...
People's Square
People's Square in Shanghai is situated at the ...
Power Station of Art
Established in 2012, the Power Station of Art i...
Qibao Catholic Church
Tourists going to Minhang district, are usually...
Qibao Old Street (Qibao Ancient Town)
It is one thing to learn about history through ...
Qipu Lu Fashion & Accessories Market
Qipu Lu Fashion & Accessories Market was the bi...
Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena
Designed by a Japanese architecture firm which ...
Rico Rico Beach
Being a popular place for beach parties in the ...
Rockbund Art Museum
The Rockbund Art Museum is a museum of contempo...
Russian Orthodox Mission Cathedral
Built in 1934, the Russian Orthodox Mission Cat...
Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum
Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum, popularly know...
Shanghai Botanical Gardens
Shanghai Botanical Garden boasts of great colle...
Shanghai Chenghuang Miao (City God Temple)
The Shanghai Chenghuang Miao, also known as Cit...
Shanghai Circus World
The area that is covered by Shanghai circus wor...
Shanghai Culture Square
Although not the largest theater in the city (t...
Shanghai Disneyland
The second but largest one in China and the six...
Shanghai Exhibition Center
The Shanghai Exhibition Centre was built in 195...
Shanghai Food Street: Fangbang Lu
This is the most amazing attraction ever and th...
Shanghai Food Street: Huanghe Lu
This is the most amazing attraction ever and th...
Shanghai Food Street: Shouning Lu
This is the most amazing attraction ever and th...
Shanghai Food Street: Taizhou Lu
This is the most amazing attraction ever and th...
Shanghai Food Street: Wujiang Lu
Wujiang Lu is the most prominent food street in...
Shanghai Food Street: Yunnan Nan Lu
At the intersection of Yan'an Road and Xizang R...
Shanghai Food Street: Zaoyang Lu
This is the most amazing attraction ever and th...
Shanghai Friday Muslim Market
The market occurs every Friday at the junction ...
Shanghai Glasses Market
Shanghai is a shopaholics paradise and it shoul...
Shanghai Grand Theatre
Looking like a glass palace, the Shanghai Grand...
Shanghai International Circuit Formula 1 Race Track
Opening its doors to speed junkies and motorhea...
Shanghai International Convention Center
Shanghai International Convention Center forms ...
Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum
The Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, located on...
Shanghai Library
Shanghai Library is situated at Huaihai Zhong L...
Shanghai MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is s...
Shanghai Modern Military Sports Club
Shanghai Modern Military Sports Club is situate...
Shanghai Museum
Museums are always filled with interesting fact...
Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
Tucked away behind the super tall and super fam...
Shanghai Old City
The Shanghai Old City was the seat of power of ...
Shanghai Postal Museum
The Shanghai Postal Museum is perched on the no...
Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center
The Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center (PPAC...
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum
If you want to exploit the secret of science, S...
Shanghai Tower
Peer down the clouds if you dare! Featuring the...
Shanghai Urban Planning Museum
Those new to Shanghai, feel like the city will ...
Shanghai Wild Animal Park
There are many natural reserves spread over Sha...
Shanghai Wild Insect Kingdom
The Shanghai Wild Insect Kingdom is located on ...
Shanghai World Financial Center
When built in 2008, the Shanghai World Finance ...
Shaoxing Lu
Shaoxing Lu is a marvelous street in Shanghai w...
Shengsi Island
The newly popularized Shengsi Island is actuall...
Sheshan Astronomical Observatory
Part of the Sheshan National Tourism Park in So...
Sheshan National Tourism Park
A distinguished AAAA rated site by the National...
Shikumen Open House Museum
Shikumen homes (meaning ‘Stone Gate House’) wer...
Shiliupu Fabric Market
Although less known than the "Fabric Market", S...
Shouning Lu Snack Food Street
This is the most amazing attraction ever and th...
Sinan Mansions
Reminiscent of the times when the French ruled ...
SMP Skate Park
SMP Skate Park is situated at 2100 Songhu Lu, n...
Song Fang Maison de Th‚
Established in the year 2007 by Florence Samson...
Songjiang Square Tower
Songjiang Square Tower is a Buddhist pagoda in ...
South Bund Fabric Market
This place is home to hundreds of tailors. In F...
St Ignatius (Xujiahui) Cathedral
This is a Catholic cathedral which is situated ...
Sun Island
With almost 60kms between downtown Shanghai and...
Suzhou Creek
It is also known as Soochow creek or Wusong Riv...
Thames Town
This town is new in Songjiang District, around ...
The Bund
The famous waterfront promenade in Shanghai, kn...
The Cool Docks
Located in the Huangpu district, towards the so...
Tianzifang
The tourist destination of Tianzifang is part o...
Tongchuan Lu Seafood Market
If you want to get the freshest seafood in Shan...
Waibaidu Bridge
It is an all-steel bridge which is the first on...
Xing Guan Photographic Equipment Market
For the local Chinese as well as tourists, the ...
Xintiandi
Xintiandi square is located in the heart of Sha...
Xuhui Riverside Public Open Space (Shanghai Corniche)
Transforming an area that had once bore the bru...
Yatai Xinyang Fashion and Gift Market
A big city like Shanghai has something for ever...
Yinqixing Indoor Ski Center
Yinqixing Indoor Ski Center is a leading touris...
Yu Garden
Of the many ancient gardens in China, Yuyuan (l...
Yuyintang Livehouse
The Yuyintang Live house can be easily found in...
Yuyuan Bazaar (Yuyuan Market)
Originally called the City God Temple, the Yuyu...
Zendai Museum of Modern Art
Situated at the Thumb Plaza in Pudong New Area ...
Zhenru Temple
The Zhenru Temple (meaning ‘reality as it is’) ...
Zhongshan Park (Shanghai)
Zhongshan Park is located in Changning district...
Zhou Enlai Residence
Zhou Enlai was China's premier between 1949 and...
Zhou's Miniature Carving House (Qibao)
Zhou's Miniature Carving House (Qibao) is locat...
Zhujiajiao
Located on the outskirts of Shanghai, Zhujiajia...
Home > Shanghai > Shanghai > Moon Boat (Saudi Arabia Expo Pavilion)