If you've never seen the rime in winter, visited the Changbai Mountains or Tianchi volcanic lake, or traveled in a 580km/h high-speed train, then you can have all these experiences at the Jilin Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo.

"The pavilion has a surrealist design which incorporates characteristics of Jilin's landscape," said Cong Hongxia, deputy secretary general of Jilin Government.

The facade of the Pavilion has a simulation of the forest-covered Changbai Mountains, made with sculptures, bright painting and a lighting system. A virtual Tianchi volcanic lake is presented with the use of visual aids and other multi-media techniques.

"The lively scroll painting of the mountain, the lake, and the forest and gardens showcases the unique landscape of the province," said Cong.

Economy

The Jilin Pavilion also promotes the economic achievements of the province.

As the cradle of China's auto industry, the First Automobile Works (FAW), based in Changchun, the capital city, has become the largest manufacturing and research center for automobiles in China.

In the pavilion a film is shown about the history of China's auto manufacturing, from the first FAW Jiefang (liberation) truck made in 1956 to the latest model of Hongqi (red flag) limousine, the car President Hu Jintao rode in while he inspected the troops at the 60th National Day in Beijing last year.

Real experiences

The Jilin Pavilion simulates real experiences, with many interactive displays.

A snowmaker is set above the Tianchi volcanic lake, with snow falling to the ground and cool air coming out from air conditioners, to create a sense of winter. Special glass is on the ground, making it feel slippery when stepped on.

Visitors can also enjoy the rime, the white ice that forms when water droplets freeze on objects like tree branches in winter. Branches are cut from real poplars, and the white ice coating is made of a crystalloid material like sugar, with the appearance of real ice.

Two popcorn makers stand at the exit of the Pavilion, to show the importance of the province as an area of agriculture, lying in the Golden Corn Belt. Each visitor can get a free cup of popcorn.

The pavilion also has a 1:1 model of the controlling cabin of a multiple-unit train with two VIP seats.

"The custom-made seats are the only two in China, costing 150,000 yuan ($22,000) each," explained Li Ping, a tour guide in the pavilion.

"Visitors can sit on them to experience a ride in a super high speed train." The seats include a massage function, lamp and ten-inch touch screens for entertainment. Such seats will be used in the first-class cabins of future high-speed trains.

At the end of the train is a 4D cinema. With the vaulted wide screen, special glasses, shaking chairs and water sprayers, viewers can adventure through fog and rain.