The public will have the chance to take a peek at the World Expo Shanghai 2010 a year before it opens by touring the Online Expo, the first-ever in Expo history.

The online version of the Shanghai Expo is expected to launch on a trial basis in September 2009, 10 months before the event opens, the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination said. The Online Expo is one of the highlights of Shanghai Expo.

The Website will give visitors a bird's-eye view of the 5.28-square-kilometer Expo site in 3D panorama and allow them to tour the pavilions, watch videos of the ongoing activities and read the introduction to various exhibits.

People will be able to browse the site online or download it. The online pavilions will be divided into three types in terms of display effects, with some offering a simple tour, others allowing visitors to view exhibits and the rest offering interactive activities.

The Expo will use a large amount of multimedia and digital content and need many companies in this field to take part, said Xu Wei, director of Media and Information Department of the Expo Bureau.