Shanghai, Jun 16 (IANS): The Shanghai Disney Resort, with a unique blend of Disney magic and Chinese culture, officially opened to public Thursday.

Located in Pudong district, the 3.9 sq.km resort is the first Disney destination on the Chinese mainland and the sixth globally, Xinhua news agency reported.

The resort includes the theme park Shanghai Disneyland; two themed hotels; Disneytown, a shopping, dining and entertainment district; and the recreational Wishing Star Park.

With investment of around 34 billion yuan (about $5 billion), the resort is a joint venture between the Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group.

The resort took five years to build and it will be further expanded.

Among the first group of visitors, Shanghai resident Wan Wenqiang visited the theme park with her mother and seven-year-old son.

"I have visited the resorts in California and Tokyo, and I feel so proud that we can visit Disneyland in our home city now," she said.

"Visiting Disneyland on the opening day is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I just can't wait to see how they combine Disney with traditional Chinese elements," she said.