Universal Beijing

Universal Beijing Resort
北京环球度假区
The Universal Globe, the icon of the resort, with the gates to the theme park in the background
Interactive map of Universal Beijing Resort
北京环球度假区
LocationWenjing Subdistrict, Tongzhou District, Beijing, China
Coordinates39°50′42.89″N 116°40′20.67″E / 39.8452472°N 116.6724083°E / 39.8452472; 116.6724083
StatusOperating
OpenedSeptember 20, 2021; 5 years ago (2021-09-20)
Owner
WebsiteOfficial website
Universal Beijing
Traditional Chinese北京環球度假區
Simplified Chinese北京环球度假区
Literal meaningBeijing Worldwide
[i.e. Universal Pictures]
Holiday/Vacation Area
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinBěijīng Huánqiú Dùjiàqū
Wade–GilesPei-ching Huan-ch'iu Tu-chia-ch'ü

The Universal Beijing Resort, commonly known as Universal Beijing, is a theme park and entertainment resort complex based in Beijing, China. Invite-only test operation started on September 1, 2021, and the full operation started from September 20, 2021.

The resort is operated by Universal Destinations & Experiences. It is minority-owned by NBCUniversal, a division of the US company Comcast (30%), and majority-owned by Beijing Shouhuan Cultural Tourism Investment (70%), a Chinese state-owned (government) enterprise. Once completed, Universal Beijing Resort will consist of two theme parks (Universal Studios Beijing and a second planned theme park), a water park, Universal CityWalk, and multiple hotels.

History

2009–present: Development and opening

In February 2009, Shanghai Securities News reported that Universal Studios was close to winning approval from China's government to build a theme park in Beijing.

The project was formally approved by the State Council and NDRC on September 25, 2014, and construction of the Universal Beijing Resort began on October 28, 2016. Phase I was completed in April 2021, and had its grand opening on September 20, 2021. In December of that year, Phase II would add five more on-site hotels, covering 2.2 square kilometres (220 ha) of land, doubling the existing 1.8-square-kilometre (180 ha) size.

As of September 2023, Phase II of Universal Beijing Resort was set to begin construction by 2025. However, updates on construction have remained unclear since then. In January 2026, a second, adjacent theme park was unveiled as a marine mammal park, known as the Beijing Haichang Ocean Park. The aquarium will span 157,000 square metres (1,690,000 sq ft), making it recognized as the world's largest new aquarium facility being constructed at the Tongzhou District. It is slated to open in 2027.

Theme parks and main areas

Universal Studios Beijing

Universal Studios Beijing is the resort's flagship park and opened as part of phase one.

There are seven themed areas in the park:

Universal CityWalk

Universal CityWalk Beijing as seen from the south (September 2021)

Universal CityWalk Beijing is a shopping centre and entertainment district that includes 7 stores and 15 restaurants, such as Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, Universal CityWalk Cinema with IMAX, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and the Universal Studios Store. CityWalk opened on September 2, 2021, and is located between the parking and transit station and the theme park and water park entrances.

Hotels

The first phase of Universal Beijing Resort features two official on-site hotels which are located in close proximity to the Universal Beijing theme parks.

Name Opening date Theme Number of rooms Photo
The Universal Studios Grand HotelSeptember 20, 2021Golden age of Hollywood800
NUO Resort HotelSeptember 20, 2021Chinese imperial garden400

Transportation

Subway

North façade of Universal Resort Metro Station

Universal Resort station of Beijing Subway, on Batong line and Line 7 opened on August 26, 2021.

Bus

589 and T116 were extended to Universal Beijing Resort on August 26, 2021.

References

  1. ↑ 通州环球影城定名"北京环球度假区". 北京报 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on April 27, 2019.
  2. ↑ 通州环球影城定名"北京环球度假区". 北京报 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on April 27, 2019.
  3. ↑ 北京市通州区行政区划图. 北京市通州区人民政府. August 9, 2021. Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  4. ↑ 北京环球度假区将于9月1日开启试运行. August 24, 2021.
  5. 1 2 北京环球度假区明日开业，9时至11时、19时至21时易拥堵. Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 北京环球度假区将于9月20日正式向公众开放 [Universal Beijing Resort will officially open to the public on September 20]. August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  7. 1 2 定了！北京环球度假区9月20日正式向公众开放. 北京日报客户端. August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Universal Studios plans Beijing theme park-report". Reuters. February 11, 2009.
  9. ↑ 北京环球度假区建设历程. December 3, 2020. 2016年10月28日 项目场地土方填垫工程开工
  10. ↑ 王他一：北京环球度假区一期建设已完成，很快能和大家见面. April 16, 2021. 目前一期建设已经完成，很快就能和大家见面。我们还有二期项目，准备在2025年建成运营
  11. ↑ 刘明. "Universal Beijing Resort plans expansion". China Daily.com.cn. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Universal Beijing Resort reveals expansion plans for second phase | spabusiness.com news". spa business. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  13. ↑ Walker, Tom (September 10, 2023). "Construction work to begin on Universal Resort Beijing's second phase 'by 2025'". Attractions Management. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  14. ↑ "New Major Theme Park Set to Open Near Universal Studios in Beijing!". eu.36kr.com. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  15. ↑ 环球城市大道 正式向公众开放. Beijing Youth Daily. September 4, 2021. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  16. 1 2 定了！北京环球度假区各交通站口明天同步开通. August 25, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)