Expo City Dubai: what will it be like to visit the legacy site?

A new 'attraction pass' will give visitors access to a variety of Dubai's flagship and country pavilions

Expo City Dubai is set to open in phases from September 2022, with a full relaunch in October. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors can take a trip on the Garden in the Sky from September 1 for Dh30.

Later, as residential sectors open, the district will become a '24-hour neighbourhood' in which people live and work, and can visit.

The Expo metro station in June 2022.

Dubai Exhibition Centre in June 2022.

Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer and Marjan Faraidooni, chief visitor experience officer at Expo 2020 Dubai, at a news conference in June 2022 to announce Expo City Dubai.

The entrance gates await new residents and businesses.

Ahmed Al Khatib said the district would be free of single plastics and was built with an emphasis on the environment.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed, chairman of Dubai Airports, speaking at a press conference welcoming the next chapter at Expo City Dubai.

Expo 2020 Dubai may be over, but its transformation into Expo City Dubai will provide visitors with a “world-class experience” including access to pavilions with new offerings, a museum and leisure facilities.

Many of the world’s fair's most popular attractions will still be available, including Al Wasl Dome, the Garden in the Sky observation tower and the striking water feature.

A paid-for attraction pass will be launched to give visitors access to these experiences.

Entry to the Expo district itself will be free.

The 4.38 square kilometre site will cater to visitors as well as tenants who will live in one of the 2,000 apartments.

There are plans to expand these neighbourhoods to help the legacy site fully transform into a thriving community, made up of tenants, homeowners, businesses and attractions.

A car-free sustainable city

Expo City Dubai will adopt the world’s fair theme of sustainability, and will be car-free and free of single-use plastics.

With the new site opening in phases from October, The National explores what it would be like to visit Expo City Dubai.

Marjan Faraidooni, chief experience officer at Expo, said visitors would be able to see more than 10 attractions.

“There will be pavilions and it will also have lots of food and beverage options, co-working spaces and, for the future, we have plans to have a shopping mall and retail offering,” she said.

“You’ll have access to five-kilometre running and cycling tracks.”

Explore what's new at Dubai’s flagship pavilions

The Opportunity pavilion, which attracted large crowds for its innovative displays on water, food and energy, will be transformed into the Expo 2020 Dubai Museum.

It will highlight the history and impact of world expos, as well as celebrate the success of the six-month event held in Dubai.

The Mobility and Sustainability pavilions will stay open to offer visitors interactive educational experiences, including in science, technology, engineers, arts, mathematics and culture.

The Women’s pavilion will continue to show how women have contributed in societies around the world and will focus on driving gender equality and women empowerment.

The Vision pavilion will honour the life and vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

Learn more about different cultures from country pavilions

The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Morocco, Luxembourg and Australia pavilions are among those that will stay open and give new experiences to visitors.

More will be announced later, including what is on offer.

“Usually in mega events, countries don't stay after they’re finished,” said Ms Faraidooni.

“It really depends on the negotiation that happens with the host country and the country of participation.

“But, I think of all world expos, this is a good number of countries (that have stayed).”

Hang out at Expo’s most popular attractions

Al Wasl Dome, the world’s largest 360-degree projection screen, will remain open.

Garden in the Sky, a rotating observation tower that lifts visitors 55 metres above the site for a panoramic view, will also continue hosting guests.

Expo’s iconic water feature, which became a popular spot for people to cool down during scorching temperatures, will also be open.

Restaurants and hotels

Expo will attract businesses to set up operations at the site.

Several restaurants are expected to open and offer visitors foods from around the world.

The Rove Hotel is still accepting guests at the site.

Expo Village, residential area near the legacy site - in pictures

The site of Expo 2020 Dubai is now being transformed, following the end of the world's fair on March 31. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Former accommodation for world's fair staff is being converted into the Expo Village residential complex.

Located in Dubai South, Expo Village is just a few minutes’ walk from the entrance gates of the Expo legacy site – which will soon evolve into District 2020

Expo Village is made up of 15 mid-rise buildings divided into four clusters. Each cluster has its own swimming pool.

The four clusters of Expo Village contain a total of 2,273 dwellings. These range from studio to three-bedroom apartments to 30 three-bedroom townhouses,

Parks and playgrounds throughout the complex make it appealing to families, say developers.

While occupancy by Expo staff was 97 per cent during the event, soon this will be down to less than 5 per cent, and apartments will be available to rent.

Expo Village has its own dedicated park spanning 38,000 square metres, a running track and a cycle path circling its perimeter.

Keeping fit indoors is covered too, with a residents' gym in each cluster.

Dubai World Trade Centre, which manages Expo Village, says the focus on parkland, gardens and the running and cycling tracks encourages health and wellness among residents.

Tree-shaded walkways at Expo Village. Developers describe it as 'a village within a village'.

The entrance to the Expo 2020 Dubai metro line is located just a minute's walk from each cluster and the area is connected to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.

A rooftop leisure area at Expo Village.

Green spaces are a vital part of Expo Village, say property managers.

The development includes a supermarket, a pharmacy, cafes and restaurants, a healthcare clinic, salons and Covid-19 testing clinic.

With Expo 2020 Dubai over, apartments are now being made ready for new tenants expected over the next few months.

The living room of a two-bedroom apartment. Most properties will be let fully furnished.

The kitchen and dining area of a three-bedroom townhouse.

A twin bedroom in a three-bedroom townhouse.

Property managers are seeking to create a co-working space within some of the Expo Village retail and home rental units.

An overview of Expo Village.

The nearby Expo 2020 Dubai metro line.

With properties ranging from 40 square metres up to 130 square metres, management company Dubai World Trade Centre says Expo Village rents will be 'very competitive'.