Gallery: Shanghai Expo closing ceremony

At midnight, hundreds of flags were lowered on the Shanghai 2010 Expo site, sending the world a clear signal: after years of preparation and six months of pageantry, the Shanghai 2010 World Expo is over.

The flags of the participating countries and international organizations had been raised at the China Pavilion on May 1, the official start of the Expo, and flew over the 5.28-square-kilometer site for the past 184 days.

China’s Prime Minister Wen Jiabao spoke about the event's meaning in respect to China’s rise on the world stage, calling it, “splendid,” “eye-opening” and “unforgettable,” saying that it “brought together people around the globe."

Six months of Expo

During the six-month Expo with the theme “Theme is Better City, Better Life,” people visited pavilions set up by more then 192 countries.

The Expo, the first in a developing nation, cost China an estimated US$60 billion to hold, although the Shanghai government only confirms that its budget for the fair was US$4.2 billion.

Although the budget might still be up for debate, the crowds that flooded the Expo were undeniable. The event got people to Shanghai -- a record-breaking 72 million of them in fact -- although even by official counts the vast majority of those who attended the Expo were from China.

"Thanks to the Expo, people like me who never would have a chance to go abroad can experience the whole world," said Zou Aiguo, a senior from Jiangxi Province, to AP reporters.

Not only breaking a record for attendance, the Expo was also one of the largest -- physically -- in Expo history, with a site of 5.28 square kilometers, twice the size of Monaco.

Expo closing ceremony

In front of a crowd of 8,000 at the Culture Center, the Expo closed with a bang as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice Premier Wang Qishan, Jean-Pierre Lafon, president of the International Exhibitions Bureau (the World Expo supervising body), and other celebrities added their light to the night.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan said the Expo brought China and the rest of the world much closer together, ushering in an even brighter future for all.

"I am convinced that the vision of 'Better City, Better Life' will become reality," said Wang.

Jean-Pierre Lafon, president of World Expo supervising body the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE), said the Shanghai World Expo was an "astounding success."

In additional to Chinese political heavyweights weighing in, Shanghai-born hurdler Liu Xiang, actor Jackie Chan and singer Andy Lau, all joined in the closing ceremony celebrations.

Starting today, Nov. 1, work will begin to dismantle the more than 200 foreign and corporate 2010 pavilions.

Five buildings will remain Shanghai 2010 Expo closing ceremony: the China Pavilion, the Culture Center, the Expo Center, the Theme Pavilions and Expo Boulevard.

A borough-bred Manhattanite, editor and writer Jessica Beaton lived in Shanghai for five years and has now moved to Hong Kong.

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