Construction began yesterday on a massive polar-themed ocean park in the Pudong New Area that is scheduled to open in 2017.

Shanghai Haichang Polar Ocean World — which is set to cover almost 30 hectares — will include 12 display venues, four marine animal interactive programs, three theaters and another 15 entertainment facilities, said developer Haichang Holdings.

Haichang said the park aims to showcase a broad range of Arctic and Antarctic wildlife, but did not give details.