SHANGHAI, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- A theme park featuring Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales will be built and open to public in Shanghai during the World Expo, which is scheduled to start on May 1 next year in the city.

    The project will be the first theme park in the world named after the great Danish fairy tales writer, according to officials of Yangpu District, where the park is located.

    The park will cover an area of 81,400 square meters. The investor, Shanghai Gujing Investment Co., Ltd., has not revealed the exact cost.

    Danmark will extend to the park a duplicate of the Andersen statue at the City Hall Square of Copenhagen, Yangpu District officials said.