Construction is nearing completion on what will become the biggest amusement park in eastern China when it opens next year.

The theme park, in Shanghai's Songjiang District, is not being built by Disney. Its developer is a Shenzhen-based company that claims it's not worried that the world's most famous mouse is on his way.

The Shanghai Happy Valley theme park plans to open in July with more than 20 amusements, including a roller coaster, Ferris wheel, magic shows and other attractions.

It will be part of a complex that also features an unusual five-star hotel built into the side of an old quarry, and the Guangfulin Cultural Park, which will house artifacts from a village dating back 4,000 years.

Located in the Sheshan national holiday resort in Shanghai's southwestern suburbs, Happy Valley will cover more than 86 hectares and is expected to host 5 million to 7 million visitors a year, the Songjiang Tourism Bureau reported this week.

It is being built by Shenzhen OCT Properties Co Ltd, which has opened other similarly named parks in Shenzhen, Beijing and Chengdu dating back to 1998. Investment costs were not revealed.

"We carried out market research before construction even began on Happy Valley," said Wu Ming, director of the Songjiang bureau's tourism promotion department. "We are confident it can attract about 10,000 visitors a day."

Happy Valley will be 10 times larger than the Jinjiang Amusement Park in Minhang District, the city's first such park and currently the largest.

By opening next year, Happy Valley will get a running start to establish itself before major competition arrives. Shanghai is expected to host its own Disneyland in 2012 or 2013.

In the meantime, the 2010 World Expo, which is expected to attract 70 million tourists, should provide a large potential customer base.

Visitors will be able to reach the park via Metro Line 9 and a free shuttle bus. Admission price has not been announced, but it will almost certainly be higher than the 70 yuan (US$10.24) charged by the Jinjiang Amusement Park.

(Shanghai Daily September 11, 2008)