Dietmar Schmitz, the Commissioner General of the Germany Pavilion, and Wang Liping (front, four from right), project director of Expo Shanghai Online, pose for a picture with netizens.

Ten people who visited the virtual Germany Pavilion at www.expo.cn were given a VIP tour of the real one this morning after winning the pavilion's VIP access in an online lucky draw.

Dietmar Schmitz, the Commissioner General of the Germany Pavilion, congratulated the netizens, each of whom was allowed to invite one family member or friend to join the tour, and welcomed them to tour the real pavilion. He said he believed they would have a better understanding of the technology and culture in Germany Pavilion through virtual and real tours.

The lucky visitors also got a chance to taste German beer and delicate snacks in Pavilion’s VIP reception room. Schmitz presented gifts to them and signed his name on their Expo passports and postcards. A Germany Pavilion guide led them throughout the visit.

Netizen Mrs. Chen from Shanghai said she was very excited: “I am going to visit Germany (the country) tomorrow. I have always wanted to drink German beer for a long time. I didn’t expect I could taste it without arriving in Germany.” Her daughter said they were very happy to feel the German culture even before their German tour.

Expo Online is scheduled to draw 10 lucky visitors who explore the virtual Spain Pavilion from 10am to 2pm on September 27. They will have a chance to tour the real one via the fast access on September 30.