Legoland Shanghai Resort to open in 2024

Taking up a whopping 31.8 hectares, the new Legoland Shanghai Resort – in the southwestern outskirts of Jinshan district in East China's Shanghai – is scheduled to open its doors to visitors in 2024.

It's being jointly developed by Shanghai Jinshan Urban Construction Investment Group Co Ltd, UK's Merlin Entertainment Group, Lego family private investment company KIRKBI – which owns 75 percent of The LEGO Group – and Chinese media and entertainment group CMC Inc.

The Legoland Shanghai Resort includes a theme park and a 250-room Legoland-themed hotel.

According to resort general manager Chen Jie, it will combine Chinese culture, Jiangnan elements and Shanghai characteristics, while maintaining the core experience and standards of a global Legoland theme park.

Its "Monkie Kid" section, for one, is designed to connect Chinese children with their heritage and unleash their creativity. It is based on a timeless Chinese story -Journey to the West- and the 500-year-old legend of the Monkey King.

Based on the popular story, the resort will be a unique area influenced by a blend of traditional Chinese architecture and natural landscapes.

The ever-growing enthusiasm of people for theme parks is now inspiring operators to raise their levels of investment and make plans for new projects, Chen said.

According to Chen, currently there are three Legoland theme parks under construction across the nation – in the cities of Shanghai, Shenzhen and in Chengdu in Sichuan province.

That's being powered by China's expanding middle class group which is helping to ensure a bright future for theme parks in the country, he added.