(Yicai Global) Nov. 17 -- A groundbreaking ceremony for the Legoland Shanghai Resort, an amusement park project costing USD550 million, was held in the Chinese city’s southwestern suburbs today.

The large theme park, spread over 318,000 square meters in Jinshan district, is expected to open in 2024, Shanghai Observer reported.

Jinshan City Investment, Kirkbi Group, Merlin Entertainment Group and Chinese Culture Group have jointly invested in the project, which will include eight themed areas covering most of the signature and popular attractions and rides of other Legoland resorts around the world.

The resort will also integrate Chinese cultural elements, such as setting up the first Monkie Kid zone and a Mini World area showcasing Shanghai culture, according to details of the plan released for the first time at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Based on the 500-year-old Journey to the West, one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature, and its central character of the Monkey King, Monkie Kid will be Lego’s first popular intellectual property inspired by traditional Chinese stories. The Monkie Kid zone will take references from traditional Chinese architectural style and China’s iconic natural landscape.

There will also be a theme hotel in the resort, whose investment will total USD550 million, local Shanghai media reported earlier.

Legoland Shanghai Resort will be the third Legoland in China. The other two resorts in Chengdu, Sichuan province; and Shenzhen, Guangdong province, are already under construction. The Legoland Shenzhen Resort will be the world’s largest when it opens.

Editor: Peter Thomas