A $272-million Hello Kitty theme park celebrating the cute cartoon cat with a cult-like following will open in China in 2014.
Construction is expected to begin in July on the 60ha theme park in China's Zhejiang province, about three hours west of Shanghai, according to China's Xinhua news agency.
Plans for the first Hello Kitty theme park outside Japan closely follow the recent announcement of Shanghai Disneyland, set to open in late 2015 or early 2016.
With a million visitors expected annually, the new Hello Kitty park will be targeted at families with pre-teen children and young women who collect merchandise bearing the likeness of the white bobtail cat with the red bow.
Since her 1974 debut, Kitty has spawned a global industry that sells tens of thousands of products, including dolls, clothes, televisions, toasters, wine and jewellery.
Parent company Sanrio operates two Hello Kitty theme parks in Japan: the 46,450sq m indoor Puroland just outside Tokyo and the 24ha outdoor Harmonyland in the Kyushu prefecture at the southern end of the country.
For the uninitiated, a Hello Kitty theme park is heavy on cute and kitsch. Dubbed "The Cutest Place on Earth," the theme parks offer rides, shows, movies, games and parades based on Hello Kitty and her friends.
Attractions at Puroland include:
• Time Machine of Dreams special effects 3-D film.
• Hello Kitty in the Magical Land of Oz musical revue.
Attractions at Harmonyland include:
• Lovely Angel kiddie coaster.
• Sky Fun flying elephant ride.
• Strawberry Cafe teacups ride themed to Hello Kitty characters.
• Double-decker Fairy Kitty carousel.
• Pop'n Smile gondola ride.
