(Yicai) Feb. 12 -- Warner Bros. Entertainment will link arms with Chinese tourism and hospitality firm Jinjiang International Holdings to build a "Making of Harry Potter" studio tour for over CNY2 billion (USD274 million) in Shanghai by 2027.

Jinjiang has inked a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment to develop the project, the Shanghai-based firm announced today. The park will be located at Jinjiang Paradise, the city's first large amusement park, and is expected to draw about 2 million visitors a year, it added.

The joint venture agreement and project launch still need regulatory approval, Jinjiang noted.

The total investment for the Harry Potter studio tour will be around CNY2.8 billion, Zheng Bei, chairwoman of Jinjiang Paradise, told Yicai. The project will be operated as a JV, with Warner Bros. holding a controlling stake, she said, adding that construction will likely start in the second half of this year.

"Our project is different from Disney and Legoland, with the studio tour being more like a museum combined with an experience featuring movie props and technical displays," Zheng pointed out. "About 90 percent of the experience will be indoors and operate on a fully reservation-based system.

"Previously, Jinjiang Paradise attracted about 800,000 visitors per year," according to Zheng. "We estimate that the Harry Potter studio tour in Shanghai will draw around 2 million visitors, excluding the Ferris wheel."

Established in 1984, Jinjiang Paradise covers an area of 103,000 square meters and features more than 30 amusement facilities, including the over 100-meter-tall Shanghai Ferris Wheel, China's first Ferris wheel. The park closed for a comprehensive renovation and upgrade project on Jan. 26 and is expected to reopen in 2027.

Ticket prices for the Harry Potter studio tours in London and Tokyo range from CNY300 to CNY400 (USD41.05 to USD 55.70). However, there are no details on the planned admission cost for the park in Shanghai, Zheng said.

Editor: Martin Kadiev