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Universal Studios Beijing () is a Universal theme park in Beijing that opened on September 20, 2021 as part of Universal Beijing Resort. Invited-only test operation started on September 1, 2021. The park would become the fifth Universal Studios-branded theme park in the world, the seventh Universal-built park overall, and the third in Asia, after Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Singapore. However, it would also be the first Universal-built park in Asia to not include '' Sesame Street'' as one of its licensed properties. The project was announced on October 13, 2014 with the plan to invest 20 billion RMB (
US$ The United States dollar (symbol: $; code: USD; also abbreviated US$ or U.S. Dollar, to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies; referred to as the dollar, U.S. dollar, American dollar, or colloquially buck) is the official ...
3.3 billion) into the new theme park; a groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 31, 2016. It features attractions themed primarily to Universal-owned movies, TV shows, animation, and music, as well as licensed properties from other companies (e.g., Warner Bros. etc.)


History

It was reported in March 2012 that officials from
Comcast Comcast Corporation (formerly known as American Cable Systems and Comcast Holdings),Before the AT&T merger in 2001, the parent company was Comcast Holdings Corporation. Comcast Holdings Corporation now refers to a subsidiary of Comcast Corpora ...
and its subsidiary NBCUniversal were meeting with China's sixth-largest city, Tianjin, to discuss a possible Universal park in the port city. Previously, there are said to have been many on and off again discussions for building a possible Universal theme park in China over the years going back to when
Hong Kong Disneyland Hong Kong Disneyland () (local nickname ''HKDL''; also known as HK Disneyland) is a theme park located on reclaimed land in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island. It is located inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and it is owned and managed by Hong Ko ...
was first announced. On January 7, 2014, Shanghai Securities News reported that an application to begin construction on a Universal Studios park in the Tongzhou District of Beijing was filed, with work to begin in late 2014 on this $2 billion project. Demolition of existing structures had already begun, with the goal of opening the park in 2018. Comcast CEO Brian L. Roberts predicted that they expected to take market share away from Disney Parks, Experiences and Products chains with their plans to invest in their Universal Studios theme parks. In regards to the competition, Roberts said "We’re doubling down on theme parks. We think that there is a lot of 'there' there in the theme-park business for many years to come and that we have a low market share — and only one way to go." On October 13, 2014, Universal Parks & Resorts CEO Thomas L. Williams announced they signed a deal to build Universal Studios Beijing and is scheduled to open in 2019 instead. The overall investment in the theme park will be more than 20 billion RMB (US$3.3 billion). It will be jointly owned by Beijing Shouhuan Cultural Tourism Investment Co., Ltd. (BSH Investment), a consortium of four state-owned companies, and Universal Parks & Resorts. Estimated at about 1,000 acres of Beijing property, it will include an assortment of attractions in the 300-acre theme park from other Universal theme parks as well as new attractions that reflects China's cultural heritage. Outside the theme park, there will be a Universal CityWalk retail/dining zone as well as a themed Universal resort hotel. No attractions were officially revealed when the project was first announced, although many speculated that they would include popular attractions from Universal-owned assets such as ''
Jurassic World ''Jurassic World'' is a 2015 American science fiction action film directed by Colin Trevorrow, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Derek Connolly from a story by Jaffa and Silver. It is the first installment in the ...
'', '' King Kong'', Illumination ( ''Despicable Me'', '' The Secret Life of Pets'', ''
Sing Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...
'')
DreamWorks Animation DreamWorks Animation LLC (DWA, also known as DreamWorks Animation Studios and simply known as DreamWorks) is an American animation studio that produces animated films and television programs and is a subsidiary of Universal Pictures, a division ...
( ''Shrek'', ''Madagascar'', ''Kung Fu Panda'', ''
Trolls A troll is a being in Nordic folklore, including Norse mythology. In Old Norse sources, beings described as trolls dwell in isolated areas of rocks, mountains, or caves, live together in small family units, and are rarely helpful to human bei ...
'', '' How to Train Your Dragon''), ''The Mummy'', '' Waterworld'' and '' The Fast and the Furious'', as well as third party properties such as ''Harry Potter'' and ''Transformers''. On October 28, 2016, the park broke ground, while also announcing that the opening had been delayed from 2019 until 2020. The construction will create approximately 40,000 new jobs. According to Duan Qiang, Chairman of
Beijing Tourism Group The Beijing Tourism Group (BTG; ) is a Chinese state-owned enterprise operating in various areas of tourism, including travel agencies, dining, hotels, shopping and entertainment. It is headquartered in Beijing Municipal Administrative Center in ...
, one of the shareholders of Beijing Shouhuan, the first phase of the park will provide between 8,000 and 10,000 jobs. Around 1/3 of the attractions at the $3.3 billion park will be themed on Chinese culture and the first phase will occupy an area of in Tongzhou, including two hotels offering 1,200 to 1,400 rooms. One hotel will reportedly be Universal-branded while the other will carry the NUO brand. More Chinese elements, such as fireworks and parades, are planned for phase two and three in the future. According to
Comcast Comcast Corporation (formerly known as American Cable Systems and Comcast Holdings),Before the AT&T merger in 2001, the parent company was Comcast Holdings Corporation. Comcast Holdings Corporation now refers to a subsidiary of Comcast Corpora ...
's CEO Brian L. Roberts, the Comcast-owned Universal Beijing Resort shall open "on time and on budget in 2021". Construction of Phase 1 of Universal Beijing Resort (which includes the full Universal Studios Beijing) completed in April 2021, and opened on September 20, 2021.


Lands and attractions

Universal Studios Beijing is approximately in area, occupying the northeastern most part of the Universal Beijing Resort. The park's seven themed zones surround a large central lagoon. Each area features meet-and-greet locations, restaurants, quick-service dining, food carts, and retail stores and carts.


Hollywood Boulevard

Themed after the real Hollywood Boulevard, in Hollywood, CA, this area acts as the entryway to the park. The area also contains a music plaza, Mel's Diner, and Sunset Grille restaurant.


The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Hogsmeade

Themed after the ''
Harry Potter ''Harry Potter'' is a series of seven fantasy literature, fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young Magician (fantasy), wizard, Harry Potter (character), Harry Potter, and his friends ...
'' franchise. Retail shops within the area include: Hogsmeade Station, Zonko's Joke Shop, Gladrags Wizardwear, Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, Owl Post & Owlery, Ollivanders Wand Shop in Hogsmeade, Dervish and Banges, Honeydukes, and Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods. Restaurants in this area include Hog's head and Three Broomsticks.


Minion Land

Themed after Illumination's Minions, ''
Despicable Me ''Despicable Me'' is a computer-animated media franchise centering on Gru, a reformed super-villain (who later becomes a father, husband, and secret agent), and his yellow-colored Minions. It is produced by Illumination and distributed by ...
,'' and ''
Sing Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...
'' franchises. This is the second Universal theme park to have a full-scale ''Despicable Me'' themed area, after Universal Studios Japan. This area includes The Lair - Villain Restaurant.


Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness

Themed after
DreamWorks Animation DreamWorks Animation LLC (DWA, also known as DreamWorks Animation Studios and simply known as DreamWorks) is an American animation studio that produces animated films and television programs and is a subsidiary of Universal Pictures, a division ...
's '' Kung Fu Panda'' movie series. The first entirely-indoor land for a Universal theme-park. This area includes a restaurant themed after Mr. Ping's Noodle House.


Transformers: Metrobase

Themed after the '' Transformers'' media franchise. The area's rides and layout are similar to Universal's Island of Adventure's
Marvel Super Hero Island Marvel Super Hero Island is an area at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure park in Orlando, Florida that is themed after popular Marvel Comics superheroes. The area opened in 1999, ten years prior to Universal competitor The Walt Disney Com ...
. The area includes the Energon Power Station counter-service restaurant.


Jurassic World Isla Nublar

Themed after the ''
Jurassic World ''Jurassic World'' is a 2015 American science fiction action film directed by Colin Trevorrow, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Derek Connolly from a story by Jaffa and Silver. It is the first installment in the ...
'' movie franchise. This area includes the Hammond's restaurant, named after the John Hammond character from the franchise.


Waterworld

Themed after the '' Waterworld'' film. This is the first Universal theme park to have a dedicated Waterworld themed area, and includes the Drifter's Cantina restaurant.


Transportation


Subway

The
Universal Resort station Universal Resort station () is a subway station on and the of the Beijing Subway. It is located near the entrance of Universal Beijing Resort. The station opened on 26 August 2021. Station Layout Both the line 7 and Batong line stations have ...
of Beijing Subway on Batong line and Line 7 opened on August 26, 2021.


Bus

Tongzhou, Beijing Tongzhou District (, alternate spellings ''Tungchow'' ''Tungchou'' (T'ung-chou), or Tong County during 1914–1997) is a district of Beijing. It is located in southeast Beijing and considered the eastern gateway to the nation's capital. Down ...
's 589 and T116 busses were extended to Universal Beijing Resort on August 26, 2021.


See also

*
2021 in amusement parks This is a list of events and openings related to amusement parks that occurred in 2021. These various lists are not exhaustive. Amusement parks Opening *Armenia Yerevan Park – May 15 *Czech Republic Majaland Praha *China Hot Go Dreamworld ...
* Universal Beijing Resort


Notes


References

{{Theme parks in Beijing Amusement parks in Beijing Universal Parks & Resorts Universal Parks & Resorts attractions by name Operating amusement attractions 2021 establishments in China