Shanghai World Expo's organizers launched ticket sales last week for the global gala, to be held in the Chinese economic hub from May 1 to October 31, 2010.

Tickets will go on sale for groups on March 27 and for the public on July 1. Each visitor can enter the area of Expo 2010 Shanghai for only 160 yuan (US$23.40) per visit during the 184-day grand show. It's the lowest price for visits to a world expo since 2000. From March 27 to June 30, group bookings can be made for organizations, institutions and enterprises.

Peak day admission tickets will cost 200 yuan and will cover 17 days including Chinese Labor Day holiday (May 1-3), National Day holiday (October 1-7), and the last week before closing (October 25-31). Tickets will be discounted from 10 to 30 yuan for those who buy before the Expo opens on May 1, 2010. People going to the Expo after 5pm (apart from the peak days) can get tickets for 90 yuan but only during Expo. Discounts will also be offered to the disabled, senior citizens, students with valid IDs and Chinese service men and women. Children under 1.2 meters will not have to pay.

People can purchase tickets at branches of China Mobile, China Telecom, Bank of Communications and China Post. Online and hotline channels will also be opened. Foreigners will be able to buy tickets from overseas outlets authorized by the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination.

The Shanghai Expo, themed "Better City, Better Life", will be held at the waterfront of the Huangpu River between Nanpu Bridge and Lupu Bridge, in downtown Shanghai. 185 countries and 46 international organizations have been confirmed to take part in the expo so far. In spite of the economic downturn, no participant has withdrawn from the planned exhibition.