Beijing Expo 2019 sprints to completion of construction & unveils ticketing policies

On October 10, 2018, the Information Office of Beijing Municipal People’s Government joined hands with Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition Coordination Bureau (BIHECB) to hold a press conference on the 200-day countdown for Beijing Expo 2019, at which officials from BIHECB and the People’s Government of Yanqing District expounded on information about the Expo.

At the press conference on the 200-day countdown for Beijing Expo 2019

The Expo Park has basically taken shape as construction projects are about to be completed

According to Ye Dahua, vice director of BIHECB, 90 percent of public greening landscapes, trees and shrubs in the Expo Park have been completed. Moreover, all underground infrastructure pipelines have been basically completed, the road framework of the Expo Park has taken shape, and the energy station and the power distribution room have begun interior decoration. Construction of key pavilions and gardens is progressing smoothly. So far, 94 percent of the terraced fields in the China Pavilion have been completed, 70 percent of its mechanical and electric equipment has finished installation, and 72 percent of the screen wall project has been completed. In addition, 95 percent of the steel structure of the International Pavilion has been completed, with 93 of its total 94 steel-structured umbrellas being installed. The concrete pouring and roofing projects for the secondary structure of the Life Experiencing Pavilion have been basically finished. Half of large trees in the greenhouse of the Botanic Pavilion have been planted. The main structure of the Yongning Pavilion has been completed, with 70 percent of its roof tiles being laid. The concrete structure of the Performance Square has been finished.

Ye Dahua, vice director of BIHECB, introduces the construction schedule of Beijing Expo Park

 Construction of supporting facilities is also progressing comprehensively. The Expo Hotel and apartments for exhibitors have entered the stage of interior decoration, which are expected to be completed and delivered by the end of this year. Construction of the Integrated Administrative Center, Integrated Digital Center, Horticulture Town, Industrial Belt and other auxiliary commercial buildings is progressing in an orderly manner.

 Construction of provincial and municipal gardens proceeds quickly, with some gardens having taken shape

It is reported that a total of 51 outdoors gardens, including those of 31 Chinese provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, as well as 17 Chinese enterprises, have begun construction. Most of them have completed more than 50 percent of their respective construction projects. Construction of all Chinese gardens is proceeding steadily as scheduled, with some gardens having taken shape.

Solicitation of international exhibitors has achieved goals more than expected, and construction of international gardens has begun as scheduled

Previously, solicitation of international exhibitors for Beijing Expo 2019 aroused wide attention. Ye Dahua revealed that the solicitation task has achieved more-than-expected results, and construction of international gardens has begun as scheduled. To date, 104 countries and international organizations have confirmed to attend Beijing Expo 2019. A total of 77 countries and international organizations including Russia, Britain, Qatar, and UNESCO will hold outdoors exhibitions, and countries and international organizations such as Syrian, Ukraine, Paraguay and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) will hold indoors exhibitions. So far, 59 countries and international organizations including Japan, India, Germany and the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) have started their construction projects in the Expo Park, and the rest gardens are also under design or get ready for construction.

Marketing has received fruitful results and promotional events continue expanding

Currently, nine enterprises including Air China, Bank of Beijing, CYTS, Vanke, Shunxin, BAIC, Baidu, JD, and China Telecom have signed contracts to become global partners of Beijing Expo 2019. Moreover, 22 companies including Beijing Gongmei Group and Beijing Honav Group have been chosen as licensed products manufacturers for the Expo. They have developed more than 800 licensed products, of which over 500 have been sold at brick-and-mortar stores as well as e-commerce platforms including JD and Tmall. The promotion and publicity of Beijing Expo 2019 continue expanding.

China’s first documentary about plants Chinese Plants that Change the World, produced by BIHECB, has entered the stage of post-production, which is expected to debut at the opening ceremony of Beijing Expo 2019.

Multiple ticket options and diversified purchasing channels are available to meet various demands

At the press conference, Wang Chuncheng, also vice director of BIHECB, unveiled the ticket policies of Beijing Expo 2019. The tickets are categorized into standard day ticket, designated day ticket, three-visit ticket and through ticket. According to categories of purchasers, the tickets are classified into ordinary ticket, discounted ticket, and group ticket.

Wang Chuncheng, vice director of BIHECB, introduces the ticketing policies of Beijing Expo 2019

 A standard day ticket is priced at 120 yuan, a designated day ticket 160 yuan, a three-visit ticket 300 yuan, and a through ticket 500 yuan. The discounted price for a standard day ticket is 80 yuan, and that of a designated day ticket 100 yuan.

Beijing Expo 2019 also offers concessional tickets for special groups of people including the disabled, the elderly, children, students and persons in active service. Moreover, free admission is available for children with a height of 1.3 meters or less or less than 6 years old. Group tickets are categorized into ordinary group tickets and students’ group tickets, which are sold via travel agencies and educational institutions, respectively.

To ensure the full coverage of target customers, the organizer adopts a ticketing framework comprised of online ticket agencies, travel agencies and self-running channels. The self-running channels include the official website, official WeChat account, official app and on-site ticket offices of Beijing Expo 2019. To enhance tourists’ experience and safety, visitors who buy tickets online or book group visits need to book in advance. To facilitate the entry process, whether group or individual tourists who already purchased tickets online need not to get a printed ticket, but enter the Expo Park by swapping their ID cards.

 A comprehensive supporting system covering catering, accommodation and transportation is under construction

To guarantee the smooth operation of Beijing Expo 2019, Yanqing District, where the Expo Park is located, has spared no effort to prepare for the upcoming Expo and form a comprehensive supporting system covering transportation, catering, accommodation, etc.

According to Wu Shijiang, vice chief of Yanqing District, in terms of transportation, the newly built Daxing-Yanqing Expressway and Yanqing-Chongli Expressway (sections on the plain) will open to traffic by the end of this year, forming a transport network linking Yanqing to other places via three expressways including the Beijing-Tibet, Beijing-Xinjiang and Daxing-Yangqing expressways and the S2 suburban inter-city railway. In addition, 13 highways that are either newly built or reconstructed, including the Yankang, Baikang and Shiyuan roads, will be put into service within this year. Ten parking lots that can totally accommodate 22,000 cars will be built near the Expo Park. Following the principle of “promoting green travel and giving priority to public transportation,” an all-round public transport supporting system will be formed to facilitate commuting capacity and meet tourists’ needs for transportation.

Wu Shijiang, vice chief of Yanqing District, introduces the supporting system covering catering, accommodation and transportation for Beijing Expo 2019

 As for catering, Yanqing will introduce many time-honored restaurants while upgrading commercial streets with local flavor. Some 350 catering enterprises will provide 22,000 seats for diners within 10 kilometers around the Expo Park. Moreover, the district will provide a catering guide map to recommend restaurants to tourists, so as to avoid overcrowding in some restaurants at peak periods.

In terms of accommodation, Yanqing formulated an Action Plan for Enhancing the Hoteling Industry’s Capacity during Beijing Expo 2019, according to which the district will provide as many as 41,000 beds during the Expo, including 7,500 beds in high-end hotels, 7,100 beds in ordinary hotels, and 26,000 beds in rural hotels.

 Preparation for exhibition installation and operation is about to begin, and volunteer recruitment will be launched within this month

Vice Director Ye Dahua noted that in the next 200 days before the opening of Beijing Expo 2019, the preparatory work will focus on the completion of construction projects, the installation of relevant exhibitions, the construction of the Smart Expo, international and domestic gardens, the recruitment of volunteers, the planning of the opening and closing ceremonies and China Pavilion Day, and the organization of National Days, Days of Honor, festooned vehicle parade, high-end forums and horticultural competitions, and domestic and international promotional events.

Policies concerning volunteer recruitment will be promulgated and relevant recruitment will begin within this month. In addition, greater efforts will be made to publicize the Expo by expanding relevant news reporting both in China and abroad. After its first ambassador—CCTV anchorwoman Dong Qing—was announced last year, the Expo’s second group of ambassadors will be unveiled soon.