Photo taken on April 24, 2010 shows the night view of the World Expo Park during the trial operation of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua Photo)

　　by Xinhua writers Wu Liming, Liu Hua

　　BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The World Expo 2010 will begin showcasing its charms in Shanghai in a week's time.

　　The world's grand gathering, with the theme of "Better City, Better Life" this time, draws an unprecedented 192 countries and 50 international organizations, and embodies the common aspirations of mankind for a better life and a better future.

　　In the 5.28 square-kilometer expo park straddling the Huangpu River, architects from across the globe have joined hands to set up a "town of aspirations" brimming with original designs and colorful cultural diversities.

　　For instance, the Japanese pavilion, costing 133 million U.S. dollars, is a semi-circular structure covered by a purple-colored membrane, and is dubbed "Purple Silkworm Island" by local residents in Shanghai.

　　Solar energy and advanced environment-friendly and recycling technologies were used in building the "island" to make it a "breathing organism" and promote harmony between man and nature.

　　Britain has set up in the Shanghai Expo a "Crystal Palace" -- a dazzling cube formed by more than 60,000 slim and transparent acrylic rods containing seeds of different plants that were collected in a bio-diversity project.