Viacom, the Sanshui New Town Management Committee and Elite Global Group have broken ground on a US$1.85bn (€1.69bn, £1.24bn) Nickelodeon-branded cultural resort, set to open in Foshan, Southern China by 2020.

Part of the Foshan Cultural and Ecological Coastal Project – an initiative to enhance the culture, tourism, sports, science and technology sectors to the city of Foshan – the project will cover roughly 750 acres, with 250 acres dedicated to Nickelodeon-themed attractions

The developers have said the plan will include a ‘China Cultural Creativity Base’, which will use Chinese culture, stories and values into attractions. The project will also incorporate energy-efficient buildings.

This will be the first Nickelodeon attraction in China, with other branded properties in locations in the US, Australia, the UK, Spain and Malaysia.

"Elite Global Group and Foshan will create a series of branded attractions to appeal to kids and families across China,” said Ron Johnson, executive vice president of Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products.

“This will enable them to connect with some of the most beloved Nickelodeon characters in the world, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."