Saudi Pavilion
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an artist's rendition of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion [en.expo2010.cn]
Saudi Arabia plans something a little different for its World Expo 2010 pavilion.
They will plant 150 date palms, which are common in the desert country, on the roof of their pavilion.
The trees were transplanted to Zhejiang Province and will be replanted on the roof of Saudi Arabia Pavilion as soon as construction is finished.
So far 200 million yuan (US$29.3 million) has been spent on the pavilion, which is now 20 percent complete. It may end up being the most expensive pavilion at World Expo 2010 as the Middle-East country said it has no budget limit, according to Mohammed Alisssan Al-Ghamdi, executive director of Saudi Commission Expo 2010 Shanghai China.
Construction of the pavilion is to be finished by Chinese New Year.
The pavilion is a combined effort of Chinese and Saudi designers. The pavilion has a "moon boat" shape and is surrounded by deserts and seas, just like Saudi Arabia.
The first floor of the pavilion is a garden with both Chinese and Saudi trees growing, a symbol of the friendship between the two nations.
The pavilion's main attraction will be a huge cinema screen. The 1,600 square-meter screen will be larger than any other cinema screen on earth.
(en.expo2010.cn)