With the clock counting down to the end of the Shanghai World Expo, attention is turning to the fate of the non-permanent buildings. Some organizers are preparing for memorabilia sales and direct donations, as pavilions auction or give away materials and exhibits.

Three-quarters of the red solar cells that coat the Switzerland Pavilion have already been snapped up at a price of 260 yuan ($38.5) each. After the World Expo ends, these components will be dismantled, and delivered to buyers.

This is a reservation ticket. Ms. Ren wants to place an order for some of the glimmering units. Their unique design allows the pieces to power themselves by converting sun rays, and other light sources, into electricity.

Visitor Ms. Ren said, "I queued for several hours, so I'm excited and happy that I got in here. The World Expo will end soon. I want to buy some of these pieces as souvenirs, and place them in my home. They are beautiful and festive."

The Switzerland Pavilion is also making sure other materials don't go to waste after the event concludes.

This is the building's restaurant, which serves Swiss cuisine. All of the equipment in the kitchen is being auctioned on jinmajia.com, the World Expo's authorized online equity transaction website. More special offers are available, as well, including the right to rebuild the hall elsewhere.

All international pavilions must be dismantled after the Expo, to showcase its eco-friendly concept. But since these buildings are all valuable assets, a number of Chinese cities are competing with each other to buy and rebuild some of the most popular foreign halls, hoping the exotic structures will help attract both tourism and investment. Many organizers also favor this idea.

CCTV reporter Guan Xin said, "The non-permanent pavilions will be removed from the Expo site after the event closes. But many facilities, which have provided so many unique experiences and feelings for millions of visitors, are likely to stay with us, maybe in different locations. And most importantly their greatest contribution, the application of the 'Better City, Better Life' concept, will create a lasting legacy in World Expo history."

(CNTV.cn October 28, 2010)