SHANGHAI, July 5 (Xinhua) -- In a burst of colorful creativity and boundless imagination, LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort threw open its doors to the first wave of excited visitors on Saturday, heralding the arrival of China's first LEGOLAND resort.

A grand opening ceremony, held at around 10 a.m. in the vibrant LEGO Plaza, featured the iconic giant LEGO figure "Dada" as a backdrop, drawing cheers from a diverse crowd of local and international guests.

Spanning 318,000 square meters, LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort is the 11th LEGOLAND Resort globally and the largest LEGOLAND park at the time of its opening. It is a collaborative project between Shanghai Guoyi Investment Management Co., Ltd., KIRKBI, Merlin Entertainments, and the CMC Inc.

Designed specifically for children aged 2 to 12 and their families, the resort features eight themed areas, including "LEGOLAND Imagination Zone" and "LEGO Monkey King," offering over 75 interactive rides, shows and attractions.

Industry insiders and experts believe that the increased presence of internationally renowned theme parks in the Chinese market reflects China's pursuit of high-quality development and its unwavering commitment to expanding openness to the world. This move has bolstered confidence within the global theme park industry, spotlighting China's vast potential for sustained growth.

"Our deep understanding of the Chinese consumer and our experience of operating in China for over a decade has allowed us to create LEGOLAND Shanghai as the ultimate theme park and hotel destination," said Fiona Eastwood, chief executive officer of Merlin Entertainments. "It blends the tried and tested LEGOLAND experience...with rich Chinese cultural elements, creating a destination that is both globally recognizable and locally resonant, connecting children with their heritage through imaginative play."

Eastwood added that LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort is not only expected to attract Chinese visitors but will also become a global tourist destination due to Shanghai's international appeal.

To mark the resort's opening, a grand opening week has been launched, which will run until July 13. The resort will be transformed into a festive wonderland of themed decorations, immersive experiences and exclusive offers.  ■