As the representative works of the 1st West Lake International Expo 1929, the picture of its main entrance and the model for its Education Hall will make their debut in the World Expo Shanghai Zhejiang Practice Exhibition Hall (Zhejiang Hall). In the World Expo Shanghai Exhibition Center-the History of China and World Expo Section, the illustration reads, “During the participation in the World Expo, China became to know her poverty and backwardness, and the importance of developing economy and trade. In 1929, China hosted its first Expo in Hangzhou-the West Lake International Expo.” The 1st West Lake International Expo started the history of China’s Convention & Exhibition Industry.

In order to “improve the products, and develop the industries”, Hangzhou City hosted the 1st West Lake International Expo in 1929, lasting 137 days from June 6th to October 20th. The Expo received visitors of 20 million and exhibits of 147.6 thousand, either from home or abroad. This Expo created a national sensation, and spread its international influence. The 1st West Lake International Expo, as well as the Chicago World Fair 1893, Paris World Fair 1900 and Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition 1927, was known as the international celebration. 71 years later, Hangzhou resumed staging the annual event—the West Lake International Expo in 2000. It will be the 12th Expo during the time period between October 16th and November 6th this year, and September through November next year Hangzhou will host the 2nd World Leisure Expo.

In 1929, the 1st West Lake International Expo park consisted of eight halls and two museums, among which the Education Hall exhibited over 40000 articles, e.g., education administration articles, playthings, rare books, textbooks for primary and secondary schools, sacrificial articles, etc. The crown-shaped gate of the Education Hall was designed by Mr. Liu Jipiao, integrated with some characteristics and elements of China’s traditional palace architecture style. Its lightness and jumping stance implicated a sense of vigor and magnificence. At the Hall entrance, there was a couplet composed by Mr. Liu Dabai, a New Writer. The first scroll was: The scale of construction, be determined beforehand; the work of construction, be done afterward, whatever the beforehand or the afterward, education development is the most. The second scroll was: The funds for education, be no way in; the talents for education, be no way out, whatever the way-in or the way-out, agriculture, industry and commerce revitalization is the priority.