Starting March 27, tickets for the World Expo 2010 Shanghai have officially gone on sale. According to previously announced plans, the basic ticket price for the Shanghai World Expo ticket is 160 yuan. The tickets are divided into two main categories (group tickets and individual tickets) and nine types. From March 27, 2009 to June 30, 2009, tickets will be sold to groups including government organs, enterprises, institutions and NGOs.

Reporters learned that ticketing for the World Expo 2010 Shanghai is divided into advance sales before the Expo and sales during the Expo. From July 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, in addition to continuous group ticket sales, tickets will also be sold to individuals. From January 1, 2010 to April 30, 2010, Peak Day Single Day Admission, Peak Day Special Admission, Standard Day Single Day Admission, Standard Day Special Admission, 3 Day Admission and 7 Day Admission tickets will be sold to both groups and individuals.

Regarding this arrangement, officials with the World Expo 2010 Shanghai Executive Committee explained that the Expo organizer encourages early ticket-booking, and says the earlier the bookings the greater the discounts. Group bookings are encouraged, and officials hope that more visitors can visit the expo, and encourages organized group tours to better balance visitor flow so that targeted services can be provided to group audiences.

Officials emphasized in particular, that since group tickets are designed to balance visitor flow, ticket purchases by self-organized groups will not be accepted. "We require that group tickets are purchased as a group and the relevant audience make reservations and visit the expo site in groups."

By People's Daily Online

http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2009-03/27/content_220480.htm