Rudawska said Poles also tell legendary fairytales about dragons, though it is less of a symbol than in China where it is considered synonymous with the emperor and power.

It is said that a horrible and ever-hungry dragon used to live in the Wawel Hill of Poland. The beast would order lambs and young girls to eat in exchange for peace. With the town running out of girls, the king feared he would soon lose his own daughter, so he promised her hand in marriage to whoever killed the dragon. Many knights tried but failed, until one day a most inconspicuous person came to the rescue.

His name was Skuba Dratewka, a shoemaker's apprentice. He stuffed a lamb's skin with sulfur and tar, and left it near the dragon's cave. The hungry beast soon devoured the poisonous treat and immediately became very thirsty. It started drinking from the river, but the terrible thirst did not go away, so it drank even more until it burst in a powerful explosion. Dratewka the dragon-killer married the princess and they lived, as the story goes, "happily ever after."

But fairytales and mythological creatures are not the only resemblances between China and Poland—the European country also experienced a prolonged and painful urbanization process from the 1940s to the 1970s, said Majman.

Many Polish farmers poured into big cities searching for a wealthier life, only to find that the cities were not a wonderland where bread and butter were easily within their reach. The pavilion displayed short movies about five Poles struggling to adapt to city lives and eventually becoming successful singers, models and entrepreneurs.

"We want to send a message to the Chinese people that the transition from countryside to cities may be difficult, but a happy ending is almost certain," Majman said.

"As part of our preparations for the Expo, we took a poll of Chinese in Beijing and Shanghai, and were surprised to find that a majority of them knew very little about Poland. Some even have no clue where the country is," he said. "So we hope that these Chinese-style elements can help the visitors cross the barrier of unfamiliarity and have a better understanding of Poland."

Unforgettable memory

DRAGON FROM THE WEST: An animated Polish dragon, projected on the wall, entertains visitors at the Poland Pavilion on May 1 (WANG YING)

The glamour permeating the Poland Pavilion has been so appealing that it's no surprise very few visitors have come away disappointed.

The pavilion received more than 27,000 visitors in the first three days of the Expo, 90 percent of whom were Chinese, said Rudawska. "The number is expected to further increase as more colorful cultural activities are scheduled after May 22, our National Pavilion Day," she said.

After visiting the Poland Pavilion on May 3, China's Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying said she was impressed by the national pride and warm smiles of the Poles.

"The Expo has bridged the distance between the two countries, and will help deepen friendship between the Chinese and the Poles," she said.

"There are so many highlights to see that I lost track of time. The paper cutout pattern in particular is breath-taking," said Liu Yumiao, a 24-year old graduate student from northeast China's Liaoning Province. After waiting for 40 minutes at the entrance in the morning, she became the first visitor to the pavilion on May 6.

"But it is completely worth queuing up for. The unique combination of Polish traditions and moderness make you forget about the outside world," she said. "When I started listening to Chopin 10 years ago, it was the beauty that struck me. That is why I have always wished to travel to Poland and know more about the country."

Majman said Poland is taking the spotlight as an attractive tourist and investment destination.

With a safe, extensive and sustainable market, Poland can act as an entryway to Europe for Chinese companies, he said.

While many neighboring economies are still reeling, Poland has navigated safely through the financial storm and was the only European Union member that recorded economic growth in 2009.

Basic Information

Capital: Warsaw

Population: 38.5 million

Area: 312.7 square km

Climate: temperate, continental

GDP growth rate in 2009: 1.4 percent