Across the desert sands in 'Moon Boat'

Crowds are making a beeline for the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, reportedly the most expensive one at the Expo after China, Wei Tian reports.

Visitors to the Saudi Arabia pavilion stand on a moving walkway while watching a display of lights during the 2010 Shanghai.??

Thousands of visitors have been lining up every day at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion to see just what treasures can be found inside the place nicknamed the "Moon Boat".

Although exhibitors have denied that the pavilion is the most expensive foreign national pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai, visitors can't help but wonder what is inside.

While in line, visitors discuss the rumors they heard about the pavilion, from the giant IMAX screen to the 1 billion yuan ($146 million) cost of the pavilion. Curiosity peaked when Saudi Prince Mansour bin Mit'ib visited on May 1 to announce its opening.

Tourists and reporters, especially young females, came to see the imperial style of the prince.

"I want to see if this prince from the Middle East is more handsome than princes from European countries," said Shi Ying, a 25-year-old reporter from Shanghai.

Opinions differed about the pavilion. When asked about the exhibition, a man surnamed Zhang from Jilin province said offhandedly: "So, it's a large IMAX screen". His mother-in-law, however, insisted the experience was an excellent one.

"The feeling of flying over the desert was simply amazing," she said.

However, imperial style cannot be judged simply by an outward appearance. At this year's pavilion, Saudi Arabia's largest at an Expo, there is more than meets the eye. The pavilion's striking boat-shaped design that hovers gracefully and provides shade to visitors, alludes to the centuries of marine travel and trade that linked China to the Arabian Peninsula.

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Once visitors enter the Saudi Arabian Pavilion, they walk along a circular ramp into the center and to a cinema with a 1,600-square-meter screen.

During the 15-minute ride along a moving walkway, visitors seem to float through the air while taking in the sights and sounds of Saudi Arabia and its people.

The film reminds visitors that Saudi Arabia is not a country with a rich natural environment. A harsh desert environment surrounds regions and cities in the country, each with distinct features of industrialization, urbanization and modernization.

The voyage ends on a rooftop oasis, providing visitors with an opportunity to reflect on their journey.

A traditional Saudi tent is at the center of the rooftop oasis, recalling the country's proud Bedouin heritage. Visitors enjoy incredible views of the Expo Garden as they stroll along the edge of the pavilion's roof.

"There may be many factors contributing to the long queues in front of our pavilion - massive media coverage, the IMAX screen and our opening celebration," said Dr Abdulrahman H. Al Shaikh, commissioner general of the Saudi Arabian Pavilion.

"We are trying to present Saudi Arabia in a simple and understandable way."