6. Australia's secret machine

One of the most closely-guarded secrets of the expo is the cinematic machine now being built inside the $77-million Australian pavilion. Will it be better than watching Avatar at the IMAX? According to publicist Yolanda Lu, it will be a "spectacular audio-visual experience featuring stunning images of Australia, all filmed in a format never before seen."

7. Hot Shanghai

With its former French Concession, high English literacy rate, Bund skyline and unique clubs like Yongfoo Elite and M1NT, Shanghai rocks. "The city has the potential to spread its cultural model all over the world," said Serrano. According to Zhou Hanmin, what sets Shanghai apart is the determination of its people. "We're always trying to do tasks that others would consider too big for us," he said.

8. Smart cities

The Urban Best Practices Area is the latest addition to the World Expo, giving over 55 cities - twice the originally planned number - a chance to show their solutions for the 2010 Expo theme of Better City, Better Life. "From now until 2030, the world will need to build the equivalent of a city of 1 million people in developing countries every five days," said Spanish architect Ion Cuervas-Mons.

9. Fight recession

The US was one of the last countries to sign up for this year's expo due to funding shortages, as its economy and automobile sector has taken a battering. Hillary Clinton rallied the private sector to cough up to help beat the recession, and you can show your support by also pitching up.

10. Globe trot

With 192 countries being represented in one time zone inside a 5.28-sq-km plot of land, you can choose where to study, travel or invest for the price of a 160-yuan daily pass.

By Matt Hodges (China Daily)

Editor: Feng Hui