Although there are still five months left before the Shanghai World Expo, tickets are going fast. The organizer says that 12 million tickets have already been sold.

Ms. Shan came to the Bank of Communications to buy tickets, but was told that tickets for the first few days of the Expo have already been sold out. She had to settle for a later date.

Ms. Shan said, "I bought five tickets. I bought them now because the prices will be higher next year."

The Expo organizer says that from January 1st 2010, the price of an ordinary ticket will go up from 140 to 150 yuan. The ticket is good for a single admission on a given day. Prices at the gate during the six-month event will be 160 yuan.

What Ms. Shan failed to get are designated tickets. These are for the relatively long holidays during May 1st to the 3rd, October 1st to the 7th, and the last week before the Expo concludes on October 31st.

The organizer says that over 70 percent of the tickets are being sold to groups.

Chen Xianjin, deputy director of Shanghai World Expo Bureau, said, "The second phase of ticket sales is going to finish in two weeks. We have been receiving group ticket purchase requests from many enterprises and organizations around the country in recent days."

Beginning January 1st, discount tickets will be sold to the elderly, the handicapped, students, children and soldiers. In addition, three-entry and seven-entry package tickets will be available with discounts.