Visitors visit Nepal Pavilion at the World Expo Park in Shanghai, east China, May 29, 2010. Some 463,300 people visited the 2010 Shanghai World Expo on Saturday as of 3:00 p.m., setting a new record of the daily number of visitors since the Expo opened on May 1, according to official statistics. (Xinhua/Li Baishun)
Pavilion Preview:
Theme: Tales of Kathmandu City - Seeking the Soul of a City; Exploration and Speculation
Highlights: Soul of the Foreign Land
National Pavilion Day: September 3
Pavilion Area: Around 3600 Square Meters
Location: Within Zone A of the Expo site
Pavilion Features:
The Nepal Pavilion is an exquisite work of art with a large Buddhist pagoda as the centerpiece, surrounded by several folk houses representing styles from different periods. It showcases Nepalese artisans' outstanding talents in art and architecture.
Pavilion Display：
The pavilion recaptures important historic periods in its greater than 2,000-year development as a center for architecture, art and culture. It also depicts the current urban expansion in Kathmandu, shedding light on the opportunities and challenges in environment protection and development of renewable energies.
Pavilion Highlights:
Highlight 1: Nepal Araniko Center
The pavilion is named "Nepal Araniko Center" to commemorate the outstanding artisan Araniko, who contributed greatly to the friendship between Nepal and China in ancient times. The pavilion reproduces architectural designs since the 11th century, reflecting the process of urbanization in Nepal.
Highlight 2: 350 families of craftsmen
Incorporating Nepalese artistic tradition and innovative decoration ideas into its construction and exhibition, the pavilion uses about 500 tons of materials including wood, metal, bricks, porcelain and stone for exhibition and decoration items, all of which are handmade. Wood and clay sculptures will feature exquisite patterns, which have taken about two years for 350 Nepalese families to complete. Some skilled craftsmen came to the building site in Shanghai to add finishing touches to the pavilion.
Highlight 3: Rally Contest
Artists, musicians, dancers and other performers from Nepal will bring colorful shows to Shanghai. Interesting activities will be held both inside and outside the pavilion. A car or motorcycle rally will run from Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, to the Expo site. The rally will bring the "eternal flame of peace" to Shanghai from Nepal.
