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World Expo on the side

Beijing’s stunning Olympic venues have been a hit with first-time foreign visitors. Capital residents who had lived through much of the Olympic hype for the past seven years are now discovering different pleasurable sides to the games. Along with hosting the world’s premier athletes this month, Beijing is also hosting a score of national houses, showcasing delicacies, luxury products and marketable goods from many countries.

Shichahai lake area in the old city, for example — a bustling place of tourists and rickshaws at any season of the year– is now the temporary home to the House of Russia and the London house.

“It is like a little world expo,” says Wang Tingliang excitedly. Sipping cranberry juice and eating petit fours in the spacious courtyard of the London house, Wang describes his busy schedule that day. After a morning visit to the Russia house, he is now taking a break before looking at the exhibits for the 2012 London Olympics.

“I have collected wonderful materials and photos of those countries,” he says, holding a bag stuffed with prospects and Olympic memorabilia. “My next stop is the Swiss House,” Wang tells me. “I hear their house is one of the biggest and most interesting”.

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