Universal Studios Beijing

Beijing Universal Studios, the world’s largest Universal Resort, opened in September 2021. This impressive park merges Universal’s top attractions with state-of-the-art technology, offering a new level of entertainment.

Key Highlights

• World’s Largest Universal Resort – Spanning over 4 square kilometers, Beijing Universal Studios features a unique figure-eight layout that surpasses all existing Universal parks in both size and technological advancements.
• Jurassic World Adventure – This thrilling ride employs revolutionary Enhanced Motion Vehicle technology, with 24 vehicles navigating through 15 giant dinosaur animatronics and stunning 4K projections, culminating in an epic showdown between the 18-meter Indominus Rex and T-Rex.
• Affordable Ticket Prices – Single-day tickets start at $80, significantly lower than the $100+ in Orlando and Hollywood. The Express Pass, priced between 300-800 yuan, can reduce wait times by up to 2.5 hours on weekends.
• “Untrainable” Show – Recognized as the world’s best theme show, this 40-minute performance features 12-meter puppets, a 300-kilogram flying Toothless, and a live orchestra, surpassing similar shows in other Universal parks.
• Exclusive Hotel Benefits – Staying at the resort hotels grants guests early entry one hour before the park opens, saving 2-3 hours daily, along with a 10% discount on park purchases and priority restaurant reservations.
• Hammond’s Burger – Lauded as the best theme park burger ever, this 200-gram patty topped with bacon, a fried egg, and pineapple sauce is served at the flagship Jurassic Park-style restaurant.
• Unique Exclusives – The park offers exclusive merchandise, including the Minions Universal Monsters collection, Year of the Dragon series, and the Windblade from Transformers.
• Plan for a Minimum of 2 Days – While one day can cover the main attractions using an Express Pass, a more thorough exploration of all zones and shows requires additional time.

Brief Overview of Beijing Universal Studios

Beijing Universal Studios, which opened in September 2021, is the largest Universal Resort in the world. This guide offers practical insights into the park:

• Seven Themed Lands – Hollywood Boulevard, Jurassic World, Transformers, Kung Fu Panda, Harry Potter, Minions Land, and Waterworld.
• Key Attractions – Notable rides include Jurassic World Adventure, featuring groundbreaking animatronics, the Decepticoaster with seven inversions, and the “Untrainable” show.
• Practical Information – Ticket prices start at $80, with Express Passes ranging from 300-800 yuan. The park is a 45-60 minute metro ride from central Beijing.
• Accommodation Options – The Universal Studios Grand Hotel and Nuo Resort Hotel offer early entry and exclusive privileges.
• Detailed Tips – Advice on optimal visiting times, strategies to avoid queues, and dining and shopping recommendations.

Practical Planning Information

Tickets and Prices

Ticket prices at Beijing Universal Studios are significantly lower than those at Western parks. Single-day tickets start at $80 (approximately 580 yuan), while two-day tickets are available for as low as $60 per day. The best deals can be found by purchasing tickets in advance through the official app or Klook.com, where discounts of up to 15% are offered.

Express Passes cost between 300-800 yuan, depending on the package and season. On weekdays, without an Express Pass, wait times typically range from 45-90 minutes; weekends can see waits of up to 2.5 hours. The basic package covers 4 top attractions, the expanded package covers 7-8 attractions, and the premium package includes all major rides.

Special offers are available for students (10% discount) and birthday celebrants (a free badge with ID).

Getting to Beijing Universal Studios

The “Universal Resort” metro station is accessible via Lines 7 and Batong. The journey from central Beijing takes 45-60 minutes and costs 6-8 yuan. The last train departs around 11:00 PM.

Parking fees are 100 yuan for standard spots, 150 yuan for premium spots (closer to the entrance), and 200 yuan for VIP spots with concierge service.

Entry Features

Beijing Universal Resort employs a biometric entry system, requiring passport scanning and a mandatory photo. This process takes 2-3 minutes per person, though peak hours may see queues of up to 45 minutes.

Prohibited items include selfie sticks, tripods (which incur a 500 yuan fine), large bags exceeding 56×36×23 cm, and glass containers. Permitted items include plastic water bottles and small snacks.

Best Time to Visit

Weekdays are significantly less crowded, averaging 20-25 thousand visitors compared to 40-50 thousand on weekends. Winter (December-February) sees minimal crowds, though some attractions may be closed. Spring (March-May) offers optimal weather (15-25°C), while summer can be extremely hot (+38°C) and overcrowded.

A minimum of 2 days is recommended for a comprehensive park experience.

Universal Resort Hotels

Universal Studios Grand Hotel

The main hotel features an old Hollywood style and serves as the park’s entrance. Prices range from $230-280 per night, including breakfast, Wi-Fi, and access to the fitness center. Park view rooms are an additional $50-80.

Nuo Resort Hotel

This luxury hotel offers rooms starting from 45 sq.m, compared to 35 sq.m in the Grand Hotel. The price difference is only $10-15, but the comfort level is notably higher. The hotel features a spa center and fine dining restaurants.

Hotel Benefits

Guests enjoy early entry one hour before opening, saving 2-3 hours daily. Additional perks include a 10% discount on park purchases, priority restaurant reservations, and free metro shuttle service.

Alternative Options

Chain hotels located outside the resort cost between $80-120 per night and are 20-40 minutes away by metro. Budget hostels are available from $25-40, though comfort may be limited.

Beijing Universal Studios Overview and Layout

The park features a distinctive figure-eight shape surrounding a central lagoon, covering an area of over 4 square kilometers. The distance from one end to the other is 2.5 kilometers. Seven themed lands are arranged around the lagoon, providing logical pathways for movement.

The official Universal Beijing app displays wait times, GPS navigation, and show schedules. Park Wi-Fi requires a Chinese phone number, so international guests should rely on mobile internet.

Hollywood Boulevard

The entry zone recreates the golden age of Hollywood with art deco facades and classic diners. Mel’s Drive-In, Pete’s Coffee, and the Universal Studios Store offer a full range of services.

The “Lights, Camera, Action” show, featuring Steven Spielberg, showcases typhoon special effects, including winds of up to 60 km/h, rain, and pyrotechnics. Wait times for this show rarely exceed 10-15 minutes.

Daily, the “Universal on Parade” features 12 giant platforms, reaching up to 8 meters high, showcasing characters from Minions, Shrek, Madagascar, and Kung Fu Panda, lasting 45 minutes.

Jurassic World Isla Nublar

Jurassic World Adventure is the park’s crown jewel, utilizing Enhanced Motion Vehicle technology. The attraction features 24 vehicles, each accommodating 12 passengers, that navigate through 15 life-sized dinosaur animatronics, complemented by 4K projection and over 200 practical effects.

A highlight is a thrilling 3-minute chase involving an 18-meter Indominus Rex, culminating in a seamless battle between the T-Rex and Indominus.

The Jurassic Flyers is a family coaster that begins in Camp Jurassic and circles a central mountain. However, its low capacity (400 people per hour) can lead to long queues.

Camp Jurassic is a multi-level 3,000 square meter play area with a climbing height of 15 meters. The Raptor Encounter offers 10-minute sessions with raptor animatronics.

Transformers: Metrobase

The Decepticoaster is an exhilarating ride, similar to the Incredible Hulk, featuring seven inversions and accelerating from 0 to 67 km/h in just 2 seconds. The track spans 1,056 meters, and the Beijing version offers a smoother experience.

Bumblebee Boogie features a 6-meter animatronic Bumblebee DJing while guests spin. The animation quality surpasses most Disney animatronics.

Transformers Battle for the AllSpark is identical to versions found in other Universal parks. Additionally, the unique character Windblade conducts guest meet-and-greets several times daily.

Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness

This is the only fully indoor zone, spanning 8,000 square meters and designed in traditional Chinese architectural style.

Kung Fu Panda: Journey of the Dragon Warrior is an 8-minute boat ride featuring the world’s longest switchback queue, which can take 8-10 minutes even when empty. The attraction utilizes screens, animatronics, and practical effects.

The Carousel of Kung Fu Heroes features 48 character figures instead of horses, while Lanterns of Legendary Legends elevates 16 gondolas 12 meters high.

Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp is an interactive area with obstacles and basic kung fu training.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey mirrors similar attractions in other Universal parks, while Flight of the Hippogriff provides stunning views of the Forbidden Forest and the unique 2-hectare Black Lake.

Interactive wands (priced between 350-450 yuan) work at 15 different locations within the park. Butterbeer has been adapted for Chinese tastes, making it less sweet (45 yuan per cup).

The evening “Nighttime Magic at Hogwarts Castle” show lasts 8 minutes, featuring house history projections set to John Williams’ music.

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Minions Land

As the largest Minions zone in Universal, this area spans 12,000 square meters. Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem is entirely in Chinese but is visually engaging. Super Silly Fun Land includes the Loopde Dupy family coaster and Super Swirly flying gondolas.

Exclusive merchandise includes Universal monster minions (150-200 yuan) and dragon minions (300-400 yuan). The Sing on Tour offers a 25-minute live show featuring characters from “Sing.”

Waterworld

The classic Waterworld Stunt Show has its own post-apocalyptic zone. The 20-minute show includes over 100 pyrotechnic effects, a 1.2 million liter pool, 15 stunt performers, and an 8-ton airplane finale.

The “splash zone” is recommended only during hot weather. The show runs 4-6 times daily, with a reduced schedule in winter.

Top Shows and Entertainment at Universal Beijing Resort

“Untrainable” (How to Train Your Dragon)

This 40-minute show is regarded as the world’s best theme show, featuring 12-meter puppets, a 300-kilogram flying Toothless, 360-degree projection, a live orchestra, and thrilling stunt scenes.

The climax features Toothless flying over the audience at a height of 3 meters with realistic movements. Although the show is in Chinese, its visual impact transcends language barriers. App booking is mandatory, with the best seats located in the center balcony, rows 3-7.

Waterworld Stunt Show

This legendary show features jet ski chases, 15-meter high jumps, water explosions, and an airplane crash. It is universally understandable and offers free seating.

Lights, Camera, Action

This special effects demonstration simulates a typhoon, featuring 60 km/h winds, 10,000 liters per minute of rain, and moving sets weighing up to 5 tons, culminating in an explosion with an 8-meter fireball. Shows occur every 45 minutes, with queues lasting 5-10 minutes.

Additional Entertainment

Character meet-and-greets take place throughout the park, including Harry Potter (2-3 times daily), Transformers (every 2 hours), and the unique Windblade (3 times daily). The Raptor Encounter provides interactive 10-minute sessions with “live” raptors, while Po Live utilizes AI for guest “conversations.”

Dining at Beijing Universal Studios

Hammond’s Restaurant

This flagship restaurant, styled after Jurassic Park, features amber chandeliers and views of the lagoon. Menu prices range widely, with empanadas at 88 yuan ($19), and tomahawk steak at 688 yuan (~$95).

Hammond’s Burger includes a 200-gram patty topped with bacon, cheese, fried egg, garlic aioli, and pineapple sauce on a brioche bun, often cited as the best burger among all theme parks.

Premium cocktails, such as Mai Tai and Passion Fruit Paloma, cost between 78-98 yuan, while the wine list starts at 180 yuan per bottle. Reservations through the app are recommended.

Kung Fu Panda Restaurant

This restaurant offers authentic Sichuan cuisine with no adaptations, featuring mapo tofu at 68 yuan, Peking duck at 188 yuan, and Sichuan dumplings at 45 yuan. Spice levels can be adjusted, and sharing portions are available.

A unique dessert, the panda cake with black sesame cream, costs 58 yuan, alongside traditional teas and bubble tea.

Street Food

Over 50 food stands are located throughout the park. Special flavor popcorn options include peach/dragon fruit for 35 yuan and cheese/wasabi for 32 yuan. Ice cream options include the Toothless bar for 25 yuan and Minion popsicle for 22 yuan. Main dishes feature the Jurassic corn dog at 28 yuan and the Transformers burger at 58 yuan.

Free drinking fountains are available throughout the park, with bottled water priced at 15 yuan.

Food Budget

• Budget: 80-120 yuan (street food + snacks).
• Average: 200-300 yuan (one restaurant + street food).
• Comfortable: 400-600 yuan (two restaurants + drinks).
• Premium: 800+ yuan (Hammond’s with alcohol + extras).

Souvenirs and Shopping

Unique Beijing Universal Studios Merchandise

The Minions Universal Monsters Collection features exclusive minions as classic monsters, with prices ranging from 158 to 175 yuan, and a complete set available for 1,200 yuan. Limited editions often sell out quickly.

The Year of the Dragon Special Edition includes dragon minions priced between 188-258 yuan, Toothless in a Chinese costume for 398 yuan, and dragon wands ranging from 288-388 yuan.

Windblade exclusives include holographic t-shirts for 198 yuan, collectible figures for 288 yuan, and light-up pins for 88 yuan.

Popular Categories

Harry Potter interactive wands range from 288 yuan for standard versions to 588 yuan for collectible versions, all of which work at 15 locations throughout the park.

Clothing options include Hogwarts shirts priced at 298-398 yuan, house scarves at 188 yuan, and wizard robes from 588-888 yuan.

Plush toys feature Toothless priced at 148-588 yuan, minions in local costumes from 118-258 yuan, and Raptor babies at 188 yuan.

Pricing Policy

Prices are generally 20-30% lower than those at Western Universal parks but are 50-70% higher than regular Beijing stores. To save money, consider purchasing on the last day for evening markdowns, opting for bundle sets, taking advantage of seasonal sales, or using annual pass discounts (10-15%).

Where to Find Exclusives

Paradoxically, items featuring the Universal Beijing logo are sold only at the Camera Shop on Hollywood Boulevard. Unique items are primarily distributed by themed zones: Jurassic merchandise at the Adventure exit, Harry Potter items at Ollivanders, Transformers gear at the Autobot Outpost, and Minions products at the Super Silly Fun Land Store.

Comparison with Other Universal Parks

Beijing Universal Studios occupies a unique position among Universal parks due to its combination of scale, technology, and pricing.

Advantages

• Technological Superiority: The Jurassic World Adventure is unmatched worldwide in terms of animatronic quality and effects integration. Untrainable surpasses the Epic Universe version thanks to its unique theater architecture.
• Scale: It is the world’s largest Universal Resort, covering over 4 square kilometers, with each zone larger than those in other parks.
• Price Accessibility: Ticket prices are 40-50% cheaper than those in Orlando and Hollywood, while still maintaining comparable quality.

Disadvantages

• Language Barrier: All shows are in Chinese, which may reduce immersion for international visitors.
• Limited Originality: Approximately 70% of the attractions are replicates, potentially limiting novelty for seasoned Universal visitors.
• Guest Behavior: Crowds can be more aggressive, particularly during entry to theaters and popular attractions.
• No Nighttime Shows: Unlike Orlando and Hollywood, this park lacks fireworks or fire shows.

Visit Planning: Final Recommendations

Optimal Duration

• One Day: Sufficient for those with an Express Pass and early arrival, allowing for 8-10 attractions and 2-3 shows.
• Two Days: Ideal for a comfortable exploration experience without rushing.
• Three Days: Recommended for Universal fans or families with small children.

Trip Budget

• Minimum (per person/day): Ticket 580 + food 120 + transport 50 + souvenirs 200 = 950 yuan (~$130).
• Comfortable: Ticket + Express 1,000 + restaurants 400 + transport 100 + souvenirs 500 = 2,000 yuan (~$280).
• Premium: Ticket + Premium Express 1,200 + Hammond’s 600 + hotel 1,600 + exclusives 800 = 4,200 yuan (~$580).

Best Time of Year

• Spring (March-May): Ideal with temperatures between 15-25°C and moderate crowds.
• Autumn (September-November): Good weather, but more crowded due to holidays.
• Winter (December-February): Fewer crowds but cold, with potential attraction closures.
• Summer (June-August): Best avoided due to extreme heat (35-38°C) and maximum crowds.

Must-See List

Essential Attractions:

• Jurassic World Adventure – a revolutionary dark ride
• Untrainable – the world’s best theater show
• Decepticoaster – an excellent roller coaster
• Waterworld Stunt Show – a Universal classic

Must-Experience:

• Hammond’s Burger – the best park burger in history
• Authentic Sichuan cuisine at Kung Fu Panda
• Meeting Windblade (Beijing exclusive)

Must-Buy Souvenirs:

• Minions Universal Monsters (exclusive
  to this park)
• Harry Potter interactive wand
• Year of the Dragon collection

Expert Tips for Visiting Universal Studios Beijing

Best Time for Character Photos

The optimal times for character meet-and-greets are the first 30 minutes after park opening or the last hour of operation, with queue times being minimal (5-10 minutes compared to 45-60 minutes during peak times). Windblade appears only at 11:00, 14:30, and 17:00, so arrive 15 minutes early. For the best photo quality, avoid the hours between 12:00-15:00 due to harsh lighting.

How to Get the Best Untrainable Theater Seats

A little-known secret is that show tickets can be booked through the app immediately upon park entry. To avoid crowds, book the last show of the day (usually at 19:30). The best seats are in the balcony, row 5, seats 12-18 (center). Arrive 20 minutes early and choose aisle seats for a quick exit.

Reduce Jurassic World Adventure Wait Without Express Pass

Utilize the Single Rider Line to save 60-80% on wait times, but note that this option is only available until 18:00. Alternatively, monitor technical breaks through the app. After reopening, the first 15-20 minutes typically have shorter queues as guests may not be aware that the ride has reopened.

Most Atmospheric Restaurant Seats

At Hammond’s, request a second-floor table by the panoramic windows for stunning views of the lagoon and Jurassic World, especially at sunset. At the Kung Fu Panda restaurant, the best seats are by the central tree with projection mapping; book for 17:30-18:00 to take advantage of golden hour lighting.

Avoid Parade Crowds

Do not watch the parade on Hollywood Boulevard as it tends to be overcrowded. The best viewing spots are the bridge between Transformers and Jurassic World (elevated and less crowded) or the final viewing point in Minions Land (allowing entrance to attractions without waiting in line after the parade).

Best Souvenir Buying Times

Purchase exclusive collectibles on your first day, as they tend to sell out quickly. Regular souvenirs are cheapest one hour before park closing, when shops often offer 10-20% markdowns on remaining stock. Items at the Camera Shop featuring the Universal Beijing logo are marked down by 15% every Friday.

Planning with Small Children

Start your day in the Kung Fu Panda zone (fully indoor and air-conditioned), followed by Minions Land. Schedule lunch at 11:30 to beat the crowds, then take an afternoon nap at your hotel from 13:00-15:00. Return to the park at 15:30 for less popular attractions. Avoid Waterworld and Decepticoaster, as they may be too intense for young children.

Download Offline Translator

This is essential! Google Translate with the camera function is invaluable for reading restaurant menus and attraction instructions. It’s also recommended to download Pleco, a Chinese-English dictionary with character recognition, as it works without internet and is often more accurate than Google Translate for park-specific terms.

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