More than 1 million tickets sold ahead of EXPO 2016 Antalya

More than 1 million tickets have been sold for Turkey's first expo, EXPO 2016 Antalya, which will officially begin on Friday this week. Visitors can either purchase seasonal or single-use tickets. Tickets have been on sale since February and can be found at shopping malls in Antalya or online via www.expo2016.org.tr.

More than 8 million visitors are expected to attend EXPO 2016 Antalya, which is scheduled to run until Oct. 30 with the theme "Flowers and Children." Under the auspices of the Presidency, the large expo venue cost TL 1.7 billion ($600 million) and is equipped to host more than 40 countries. There are several ambitious gardens inside the exhibition site, including a 3,150-square-meter Chinese garden called "Moon's Jewel," and a 1,200-square-meter Japanese garden. China and Japan have some of the oldest gardening cultures in the world.

Nepal will be participating with its "Himalaya Garden." Likewise, a late-Ottoman era garden will reflect Turkish culture in Antalya with its fountains. The expo venue will host national and international concerts, symposiums, dance performances, musicals, theaters, workshops, street entertainments and Ramadan events. Turkish culinary culture will also be available at food courts and on the restaurant street. A special space will be allocated where different houses featuring architectural characteristics specific to each Turkish region will offer Turkish cuisine.