The Shanghai government has announced plans to build an indoor winter resort next to the popular Shanghai Haichang Polar Ocean World in the city.

According to the government's website, the Shanghai Harbor City Development Company, Shanghai Lujiazui Group, and KOP Limited signed a contract on 13 August to build the indoor winter resort in the Pudong district of Shanghai, which is thought to have been given a price tag of C¥13.5bn (US$2.1bn, €1.9bn, £1.35bn).

Winterland will cover 213,000sq m (2.4m sq ft) and will comprise a skating rink, skiing and snowboarding slopes with ”the world’s longest indoor ski trail,” an area for ice sculpture, dining options and retail areas. The mixed-use development will also feature a ski-in/ski-out hotel, several theatres, and serviced apartments and offices.

“Our Winterland Shanghai project represents the next landmark in lifestyle-focused developments and furthers our mission of spearheading breakthrough ideas from conceptualisation through building and management,” said KOP chair Chih Ching.

“As the evolution of retail continues, consumers are drawn to spaces that offer exciting lifestyle hospitality experiences. The Winterland Shanghai project will provide a variety of entertainment, shopping and sporting activities that can propel consumer engagement with a diverse range of retail and lifestyle brands.”

At this stage no architects or contractors have been named for the project. Development is expected to start in early 2016 with an opening date of 2019.