Shanghai is a charming place where modernity mingles with antiquity, and the East meets West. As one of the most dynamic and prosperous cities in China, Shanghai will play host to the World Expo from May 1 to October 31 this year.

Since its successful bid for the World Expo in 2002, Shanghai has spared no efforts in preparing for the international event. To ensure a more orderly and beautiful environment for the Expo, Shanghai has implemented an extensive facelift project ranging from building new roads, widening streets and refurbishing old buildings to upgrading infrastructure, increasing green coverage and correcting improperly translated English signs in public places. The facelift project has given Shanghai a new and more beautiful look to usher in the World Expo.

The World Expo is expected to attract 70 million visitors from home and abroad to Shanghai during its six-month run. This will pose a big challenge for the city's transportation system and service industry. To cope with the huge passenger inflow during the Expo, Shanghai has invested heavily in upgrading its public transportation facilities.

The airport is the first stop for many people coming to Shanghai. As a major part of the Expo infrastructure construction project, a new terminal at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport was put into operation on March 16 to enhance the city's passenger handling capacity. The 360,000-square-meter terminal has 45 aircraft parking bays and an annual capacity of 40 million people.

The city has established a comprehensive public transportation network that provides convenient services for travelers. There are five subways and over 10 dedicated direct bus lines to the expo site in addition to the 90 plus regular bus lines. The total track length of the subway system reaches 400 kilometers, ranking third in the world after New York and London.

Accommodations are another fundamental necessity for a good trip. The local hotels are all fully prepared to receive Expo visitors. But they will not be the only lodging option.

If you prefer to experience the everyday lives of Shanghai residents, Expo homestays will be a wonderful choice. As a supplement to hotels, more than 500 local households have been approved by Expo organizers to host overseas travelers in their homes. The home inns are certainly not as luxurious as star-rated hotels, but at homestay visitors can get a better idea of what life is like for an ordinary household in Shanghai. Many participants in the homestay program have prepared special gifts for their guests and upgraded their rooms to provide better accommodations.

As part of its efforts to ensure the World Expo is a success, Shanghai has recruited 200,000 volunteers to work at the Expo Park and service stations around the city. They will offer reception, interpretation, information counseling and emergency aid services. The volunteers have been chosen from more than 600,000 applicants, including some 3,000 from foreign countries.

The curtain of the World Expo will lift in just five weeks, and Shanghai is now gearing up for its final preparations. The city and its people will go all out to put on a splendid and memorable event and present the best services to guests from all over the world.