The Saudi Arabia Expo has officially been opened. The pavilion, overlooking the bank of the Huangpu River, is a collaboration between Chinese and Saudi architects and covers a total of 6000 square meters. The moon boat shape design boasts palm trees planted around the top deck with tents erected below them to give visitors the experience of ‘living in a tent.’ Short films will also be screened at the pavilions main attraction, the 3D Imax theatre.

Only four days after the opening the Saudi Arabia Pavilion has been deemed a huge success. Al Ghamdi, executive director of the Saudi commission to the Shanghai Expo said “I am delighted with the overall standard of the Chinese team work of designers. The ideas employed in the Saudi pavilion design were creative, brilliant and dynamic”

The Pavilion features an enormous entrance filled with walls and fountains with Arabic geometrical latticework. In here, visitors have the chance to explore the silk road route before stepping out to enjoy the 50 dancers a day who take part in daily dances in the 2000 square foot, outdoor plaza.

Written by Natalie Miller

Images courtesy of en.expo2010.cn