First Hello Kitty theme park outside Japan — in pictures

Attendants wait for guests during the inauguration ceremony of the Hello Kitty amusement park near Shanghai. The park will feature 11 Hello Kitty facilities, including a luxury resort decked out with plush pink furniture, chandeliers and bows. Carlos Barria / Reuters

A local resident walks at a section of the Hello Kitty amusement park undergoing construction. Carlos Barria / Reuters

Japanese company Sanrio, who created Hello Kitty in 1974, have joined with entertainment design firm Hettema Group from California, to bring the Hello Kitty theme park outside Japan for the first time. Carlos Barria / Reuters

The entrance to the Hello Kitty amusement park at Anji, Zhejiang province in China. Sanrio already owns two theme parks in Japan - Puroland and Harmonyland - which attract millions of visitors every year. Carlos Barria / Reuters

Guests attend the inauguration ceremony of first Hello Kitty amusement park outside Japan. Carlos Barria / Reuters

Hundreds of invited guests lined up to get their photo with characters featured by Japanese company Sanrio, who created Hello Kitty in 1974. Carlos Barria / Reuters

Sanrio characters greet guests during the inauguration ceremony of the Hello Kitty amusement park in Anji, Zhejiang province. Carlos Barria / Reuters

A man carries Hello Kitty toys during the inauguration ceremony of the first Hello Kitty amusement park outside Japan. The 150-acre theme park is expected to attract one million visitors each year. Carlos Barria / Reuters

Guests attend the inauguration ceremony of first Hello Kitty amusement park outside Japan. Carlos Barria / Reuters

A man signs on a Hello Kitty cut-out during the inauguration ceremony of the Hello Kitty amusement park in Anji, Zhejiang province. Carlos Barria / Reuters

Between 35 and 40 Sanrio characters will be visible at the park and will be incorporated into games, rides, movies and parades when it opens on New Year's day. AP Photo

Costing over US$300 million to construct, the first Hello Kitty theme park outside of Japan was inaugurated near Shanghai and is expected to attract one million visitors each year.