Expo City Dubai visitors tell of excitement to be back

The walkable city is ideal for families and groups of friends looking to rekindle the Expo spirit

Expo City Dubai officially opened on Saturday, October 1, a year after the world's fair launched. Expo 2020 Dubai attracted more than 24 million visits. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Visitor favourite the Vision Pavilion is inspired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

The Vision Pavilion is reopening to visitors at the repurposed site of the world's fair. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

The gravity defying Surreal water feature is also reopening to visitors at Expo City Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Football superstar Lionel Messi was among the millions of visitors entranced by the Surreal water feature. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

A panoramic view from the Garden in the Sky at Expo 2020 Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

A member of the French Air Force Patrouille de France aerobatics team flies past the Garden in the Sky during the world's fair. AP

A night view of the Expo 2020 Dubai site from the Garden in the Sky. Victor Besa / The National.

Visitors enjoy the view from the Garden in the Sky during the world's fair. The 55-metre tall observation tower is reopening in the revamped Expo City Dubai site. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors can explore much of the former site of the world fair and visit the centrepiece Al Wasl dome without charge. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Alif, the Mobility Pavilion, houses an interactive exhibition. It costs Dh50 ($13) to enter the attraction at the revamped site of Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An Emirati Bedouin display at Alif, the Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The spectacular glowing globe in the pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Many of the same pavilion's popular exhibits from the world's fair will still be on display. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Visitors explore Alif, the Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The pavilion was designed by Foster + Partners, known for their modernist steel-and-glass designs. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A nine-metre statue of Arab mathematician and philosopher Al Kindi is located in the Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A visitor admires a stunning display in Alif, the Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A historic bas relief carving, inside Alif, the Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A display on 11th-century historian and geographer Abu Ubayd Al Bakri, inside Alif, the Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Visitors outside Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The hall of consumption inside Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A food option at Expo City Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Expo City Dubai opens. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Expo City Dubai welcomed its first visitors back to the landmark site on Thursday.

The area, which is planned to be an economic hub, a residential space and a global destination for events and exhibitions, had a soft launch on September 1 ahead of the official opening in a month, one year after Expo 2020 Dubai began.

Visitors keen to get back into the Expo spirit can again visit two of its most popular attractions: Alif – The Mobility Pavilion; and Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion.

Returning with loved ones

Filipino family Virgilo, Majin and June Pearl Hicasio, were the first to arrive at Terra.

Mr Hicasio, a Dubai resident, was excited to take his wife and daughter to Terra as part of their Dubai holiday.

“I was able to visit most of the pavilions during Expo 2020 Dubai ― about 190 of them ― but this is the first time for my family, so we are very happy to be here,” he said.

Over in the mobility district Peruvian-Canadians Chris and Patricia Diaz headed straight to Alif and were the first to enter its doors. They spent a month in the UAE during Expo 2020 Dubai, but did not manage to experience all the pavilions and attractions.

“Alif is one of the pavilions we were unable to visit because it was so busy,” Ms Diaz said.

The couple had admired the structure of the pavilion from the outside and are happy they can now take a look inside.

“We heard great things about Alif and were captivated by the outside, so we knew that the inside had to be wonderful too," Mr Diaz said.

"It’s a really insightful experience and a great way to remind us of the huge efforts made by the human race ― and how the UAE has participated in all of this ― as well as of the special times we are living in.

"I think it gave us a good opportunity to see that there is a lot more to come in the future.”

At the moment only a few attractions are open to the public, but more will be available from October 1.

So far, only the Alif and Terra pavilions are open, as well as a few food trucks. There are also buggies available to tour the site.

Despite the lack of experiences right now, the walkable city is still worth a two to three-hour visit, especially for families and groups of friends looking for weekend activities on a budget.

Alif and Terra are open daily from 10am to 6pm, with tickets costing AED 50 per person per pavilion (free for children aged 12 and under and people of determination).

Tickets can be bought at www.expocitydubai.com and at ticket offices at Expo City Dubai.

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