auditorium

LED screen

an artist's rendition of the Culture Center

Expo 2010's permanent seashell structure has been renamed the Culture Center, instead of its previous incarnation as the Performance Center.

The organizer has announced its new name considering the building's multi-functions. "The center is not only a single performance venue, but a comprehensive fashion and culture arena incorporating performance, exhibition and entertainment," a senior official in charge of the center's management said yesterday.

At 120,000 square meters, the center will have two floors underground and four above.

The seating configuration of the main auditorium, which has a center stage, can be changed to accommodate 5,000, 8,000, 10,000, 12,000 or 18,000 seats depending on the requirements of the performance.

The central area can also be turned into a gala or concert venue, a basketball court built to NBA standards or even an ice hockey court.

The center will also house a cinema, a public ice skating rink, a bowling alley, a live music club, a sightseeing corridor, children's playground, car exhibition hall, 20,000 square meters of mixed use retail space with luxury suites and many VIP clubs.

Two performances will be staged daily through the fair with large concerts during the weekend. After the fair, it will house 250 performances annually and incorporate activity, sports, fashion, tourism, art training, shopping and leisure.

sightseeing corridor

Editor: Hu Min