Planning a trip abroad? Since Expo 2020 Dubai isn’t going to be around forever, we’d recommend a trip to the UAE. What is billed as the world’s great show is closing on March 31, and that means two things (at least): every second counts and it’s time to make some memories and record your Expo experience on social. What better place to begin than with the most Instagrammable pavilions?
Australia
Funky mural-lined tunnels, plenty of live performances, sporting areas, a friendly koala mascot and a cloud-like roof. Where to start Instagramming? On the food footage front, there’s the chance to sample Vegemite jaffles (a closed toasted sandwich with the iconic spread) and the verging-on-the-iconic drink that is a Milo Tim Tam Freakshake. Plan your hashtags in advance and lap up all that the Australia pavilion has to offer – sometimes literally when it comes to those shakes.
Italy
More than living up to its circular economy theme, the Italian Pavilion embraces the idea of reusable, reconfigurable design to impressive effect. Snapping a shot of the made-from-recycled-plastic nautical ropes that hang like a majestic curtain cloaking the outer structure itself is a must. So too is documenting the 18th century Southern Italy garden-inspired interior installation designed by Dolce & Gabbana no less (along with the Italy pavilion’s sleek uniforms). You also shouldn’t leave without looking eye-to-eye with the vast (it spans two floors) 3D-printed replica of Michelangelo’s David.
Pakistan
If your camera phone isn’t poised as you approach the Pakistan Pavilion you risk missing out on what could be the shot of the day. Comprised of well over 20 thousand pieces of glass, which initially appear identical but are all fractionally different, the multi-coloured, constantly changing curved outer façade is a visual representation of diversity and unity, as well as a rainbow-hued optical illusion like no other. Definitely no filters needed here.
Russia
The design of this pavilion got all the architects talking – and you can see why. With one metallic light wrapped dome sitting inside another, the Russian Pavilion offers a clear nod to tradition and the country’s famous Matryoshka stacking dolls, while also appearing futuristic and constantly in motion. Symbolic? Absolutely. Insta-grid worthy? You bet.
Saudi Arabia
The gleaming, suspended-in-mid-air front that seems to shoot for the sky. The way the LED-covered structure is bathed in light and colour at sunset. The record-breaking 32-metre digital water feature. The state-of-the-art, interactive flatscreen boards that document Saudi’s historic past and pioneering vision for the future. The 2,030-crystal strong “window to the sky” art installation is suspended over an escalator. Yep, it’s fair to say that the Instagram-worthy moments just keep on coming at the Saudi Arabian pavilion.
Singapore
A crowd favourite for a reason. Bringing the outdoors in, the solar-powered Singapore pavilion’s lush greenery, hanging gardens, edible plants, exotic flowers and shimmering ponds create an impressive “city in nature” feel that is not only thought-provoking but ripe for the ‘gram.
Turkmenistan
A fountain sculpture featuring five majestic-looking Akhal-Teke horses greets visitors at the entrance to the Turkmenistan pavilion and certainly deserve a photo. Once inside, virtual incarnations of the famed animals take over and accompany guests as they navigate their way around the pavilion learning about the country’s heritage in an interactive fashion.
UAE
As Instagram-tastic as you’d expect. The largest pavilion of all is a gem that is quite simply made for celebrating on social. Inspired by the idea of falcon in flight, the elegant, water-feature-surrounded building is topped with 28 moveable carbon fibre wings, while the light and airy interior mimic the shape of a Bedouin tent. Immerse yourself in a journey that charts the development of the UAE from a vast empty desert to a city of the future – just don’t forget to take plenty of photos along the way.
UK
Designed by ES Devlin, the 20-metre high, cone-shaped, cross-timber laminated UK pavilion boasts a circular front that fuses poetry and technology. And the interior is as striking as the exterior. Algorithmically generated words appear in Arabic and English on wooden slats to create an ever-changing poem intended to represent the cultural diversity of the UK. Guests are encouraged to donate their own words to the collective message: kudos to anyone who manages to snap their own couplet contribution as it appears.
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