Planning to visit Universal Studios Beijing? From getting an express pass to exploring the themed zones, here’s everything to expect at the world’s largest Universal Studios!
When I was in Primary 6, my Chinese teacher promised to bring our class to Universal Studios Singapore if everyone scored an A for Higher Chinese in our PSLE exams. Naturally, I had VERY high hopes… but well, it never happened because we all did badly (man oh man 😭).
Still, I never really forgot that wish of getting a sponsored trip to a Universal Studios theme park someday.
But hey, they say dreams come true eventually — which is probably how I ended up visiting Universal Studios Beijing (USB) during my very first work trip with The Travel Intern!
Not only is USB the biggest Universal Studios in the world, it is also home to exclusive zones you can’t find anywhere else!
Navigating through this park might feel daunting, so we’re here to help. There are three sections to this guide: Pre-USB Planning, USB Day Guide, and What to Expect at USB. Read on and get ready for a fun-filled day ahead!
Before Visiting Universal Studios Beijing
1) Strategically plan your date of visit to USB
That goes without saying — USB is really popular with both local and foreign visitors. If you want to avoid the long queues and big crowds, take note of these periods:
Weekends — We highly recommend visiting between Monday and Thursday when the crowds are more manageable. In addition, tickets are cheaper on weekdays!
National Holidays — Avoid major holiday periods, especially Chinese New Year (typically the first two weeks of February) and the National Day Golden Week (first week of October), as the park gets especially packed. Check the exact dates online as they vary each year.
School Holidays — China has two main school holidays you should avoid — winter break (January to February) and summer break (July to August), which also tend to draw significantly larger crowds to the park.
2) Choose the right tickets
USB offers a variety of ticket types you can choose from. To make things easier, here’s a quick breakdown of what’s available, along with a comparison of their prices on Klook vs. the official Universal Studios Beijing website.
Definitions
Dated ticket: Buying a ticket for a specific date
Universal Express Pass: Allows a ONE-TIME express access to skip regular lines at selected popular attractions. Options include 1, 3, 5 or 14 rides — which can be purchased with admission tickets or individually.
| Ticket Type | Description | Cost (Official Website) | Cost (Klook) |
| 1-Day Dated Ticket | Valid for one day, allowing full access to all seven themed lands | From RMB528 (~S$99) | From S$85 |
| 1.5-Day Dated Ticket | Allows entry after 2PM on the first day, plus full-day access on the second day | From RMB740 (~S$139) | From S$105 |
| 2-Day Flex Ticket | Valid for 2 days within a 7-day period | From RMB835 (~S$158) | From S$114 |
| Universal Express Pass Tickets | Available for 1, 3, 5 and 14 rides | 1 ride: From RMB130 (~S$24) 3 rides: From RMB490 (~S$92) 5 rides: From RMB640 (~S$120) 14 rides: From RMB1,000 (~S$188) | N/A |
| 1-Day Dated Ticket + Universal Express Pass (3 Attractions) | Express access for 3 selected attractions | From RMB1,018 (~S$192) | From ~S$246 |
| 1-Day Dated Ticket + Universal Express Pass (5 Attractions) | Express access for 5 selected attractions | From RMB1,160 (~S$218) | From ~S$280 |
| 1-Day Dated Ticket + Universal Express Pass (14 Attractions) | Express access for 14 selected attractions | From RMB1,528 (~S$288) | From ~S$363 |
*Note: Ticket prices vary depending on the type, day of visit, and whether it’s a peak or off-peak season. Prices also tend to increase closer to your visit date, so we highly recommend booking your tickets online in advance to save both time and money.
Buying an Express Pass individually also seems to cost less than purchasing a package on Klook. So, we suggest purchasing your dated entry tickets via Klook, then getting the Universal Express Pass separately through the official website or app for the best value!
*Pro-tip: Redeem 5% OFF Klook activities for use later, up to 5x. Just enter code <THETRAVELINTERNKLOOK> at checkout. New users get 10% OFF their first booking. T&C’s apply!
3) Know how to purchase the Universal Beijing Express Pass
*Note: Double-check which attractions are included in your selected pass, as not every ride is covered across all pass bundles.
You can book your Universal Express Pass directly through the Universal Studios Beijing app or through mini programmes in Alipay and WeChat. From there, either purchase Express Passes for individual attractions (from RMB120) or go for bundle options (from around RMB490–1,000) that cover sets of 3, 5, or up to 14 attractions across the park.
Once you’ve completed your purchase, you’ll receive a QR code that can be scanned at the entrance of your selected attraction’s express queue!
We’d recommend getting the Universal Express Pass only if you’re visiting during extremely peak periods, when wait times can easily extend beyond an hour.
Otherwise, the queues at Universal Beijing Resort generally move quite efficiently, and there’s a good chance you’ll still be able to cover most of the attractions within a day without needing one.
USB Day Guide
Check the Universal Studios Beijing app regularly
Remember to download the official Universal Studios Beijing app before heading to the park! You can check the park’s operating hours for specific dates, purchase tickets or Express Passes, view live queue timings for attractions, and keep track of show schedules throughout the day, all in one place.
The best part? You can adjust your route on the go and decide which rides to prioritise on the spot. Trust us, because it makes a HUGE difference when it comes to saving time and making the most out of your day at USB.
Getting to Universal Studios Beijing
There are two main ways to get to Universal Studios Beijing:
By Metro: Take Line 7 or the Batong Line to Universal Resort Station (环球度假区站)
By Taxi/DiDi: Around 45–60 minutes from Beijing city centre, depending on traffic.
We’d recommend arriving at least an hour before the park opens to beat the crowds. Universal Studios Beijing’s opening hours are usually from 9:30AM – 8:30PM, but can vary depending on the season, so do check the official website before heading down.
Pack only the essentials
These are the most important items you’d need for your visit to Universal Studios Beijing:
– Passport: You’ll need to present this at the entrance.
– Cash/Credit Card: The entire park uses digital payment via Alipay or WeChat since cashless transactions are much more convenient. But do bring some cash and credit cards too, just in case!
– Water bottle: There are water coolers located around the park for you to refill for free, which could help save costs on buying overpriced beverages in the park.
Selfie sticks and tripods are also strictly not allowed in Universal Studios Beijing, and they will be confiscated during the security check (based on our personal experience…)
You can leave them in the lockers located outside the park for a small fee:
– RMB20 (~S$4) for a small locker
– RMB40 (~S$8) for a large locker
Honestly, just don’t bring them unless you really need to. Save yourself the extra cost and hassle 😭
Leave some time for shopping
Don’t forget about the shopping! Universal Studios Beijing has plenty of exclusive merchandise from different franchises like Minions and Kung Fu Panda — from cups and keychains, to apparel and collectables!
We noticed the checkout queues can get REALLY long towards the end of the day, so it’s a good idea to squeeze in your shopping during lunch breaks or between rides to avoid the long waits later on.
Alternatively, make your purchases at shops located along the Universal CityWalk at the exit of Universal Studios Beijing, which closes at 9:30PM or later during peak seasons!
What to Expect at Universal Studios Beijing
Universal Studios Beijing has seven themed zones with a whopping number of shows and attractions — which can feel rather overwhelming, we get it. So here’s our guide to the rides and attractions that we think are absolutely worth adding to your must-visit list!
1) Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Can you guess our personalities from our house colours?
For first-time visitors, we recommend starting at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This land tends to get crowded REALLY quickly with throngs of tourists snapping pictures against the Hogwarts castle, so coming here first can ensure you get the best pictures without a massive crowd behind you.
Once you are done, head into the castle and enjoy the main attraction — Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which takes you on a really cool indoor motion-simulator ride through iconic scenes from the films.
For those with a little extra budget, don’t miss out on trying a Butterbeer, a fan-favourite beverage inspired by the series. It’s non-alcoholic, so fret not about feeling woozy from the drink.
2) Transformers Metrobase
Transformers Metrobase is based on these greatest mechanical beasts… the Autobots and Decepticons! This zone has three main rides, including the largest rollercoaster within the park!
The Decepticoaster is probably the craziest ride in USB, with multiple loops, drops and incredible speed. I almost screamed my head off on this ride, but it’s definitely adrenaline-worthy.
There’s also the Bumblebee Boogie, where you’ll hop into spinning vehicles while listening to retro tracks from Bumblebee’s playlist. It can get really dizzy as the cars speed up, but it was surprisingly fun too!
3) Kung Fu Panda Land Of Awesomeness
Inspired by the beloved Kung Fu Panda film, Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness is set within the charming Valley of Peace. Compared to the other zones in USB, this area actually felt much more chill and less crowded — great for recharging after a hectic day navigating the crowds.
As you wander around the park, keep an eye out for familiar characters like Po and Tigress for photo opportunities too!
For a relaxing ride, Kung Fu Panda: Journey of the Dragon Warrior is an aesthetic indoor boat trip that takes you through beautifully designed scenes, featuring iconic characters from the series.
Our teammate Suhada was already raving about Mr. Ping’s Noodle House even before our visit to Universal Beijing Resort, so we (forcibly) made a stop there to try its famous noodles for ourselves.
We’d recommend the Hand Pulled Noodles with Beef Stock (RMB70/bowl), which came with a hearty serving of noodles and generous chunks of beef. No wonder everyone loved Mr. Ping in the Kung Fu Panda series.
The highlight here for me though, was this Kung Fu Panda–themed mochi dessert (RMB45) that was simply too adorable to eat.
4) Minion Land
Minion Land always had a special place in my heart, and looking back, it’s fairly obvious why. These silly yellow fellas are iconic not just for their cuteness, but also as a reminder that you can always be a child at heart.
Unlock your whimsical and super silly sides with these cheeky guys.
You can even turn into a minion at the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, where you’ll go through a chaotic journey with your fellow minions! We also tried the Loop-dee Doop-dee rollercoaster within the Super Silly Fun Land. It’s a child-friendly ride, packed with some intensity for the young ones seeking some thrill and going ba-na-nas.
Oddly, the place I was intrigued by the most here was the toilets. I could hear the minions laughing and farting… together with me 💩
5) Jurassic World Isla Nublar
It’s back to prehistoric times at Jurassic World Isla Nublar. On the Jurassic World Adventure ride, we had our heads turning left, right, and even upwards as giant dinosaurs appeared out of nowhere while we tried to survive the chaos unfolding around us.
There’s also the Jurassic Flyers attraction, where you’ll be lifted sky-high for a Pteranodon’s-eye view of the park. Sadly, we had to skip this one because of the long queues — but we’d be sure to be back during our next visit.
6) Hollywood
Hollywood is the place to catch exciting live performances at Universal Studios Beijing. One show you definitely shouldn’t miss is Untrainable, inspired by the beloved How to Train Your Dragon! This show features life-sized dragon replicas from the films — and yes, you’ll even get to watch Toothless fly right over the audience!
While the show is performed entirely in Mandarin, the effects and animation are still so impressive that language honestly doesn’t matter much. If you’re a fan of the movie, we’d say it’s absolutely worth catching.
Photo credit: Universal Studios Beijing
Plus, you can meet all your favourite Universal characters from Minions, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, and Shrek in a grand festive parade through the entire park!
The Universal on Parade usually starts around 5PM from the Hollywood area, so aim to arrive at least 30 minutes beforehand to get a good view! Thankfully, the route is pretty long (stretching 1.2km), so you’d be able to catch the parade from most parts of the main road.
7) WaterWorld
Photo credit: Universal Studios Beijing
Universal Studios Beijing is home to the only WaterWorld attraction with an entire zone dedicated to it! The WaterWorld Stunt Show is best known for its insane jet-ski feats, dramatic explosions, and adrenaline-pumping action sequences. If you’d like to get wet and wild, sit near the front rows and prepare to get splashed as the jet skis zoom past you.
And if you need a quick food recharge after all the action, you can also stop by Drifter’s Cantina to fuel up on cheeseburgers and fried chicken during your visit.
Suggested Routes for Universal Studios Beijing
We’ve created two routes which you can follow in this guide to maximise your experience in Universal Studios Beijing. Check them out to see which aligns with your interests the best!
Feel free to plan your own route using the USB Park Map too! Check the queue timings and availability on the app itself, as showtimes are subject to change from day to day.
*Pro-tip: And if you’re planning on taking lots of OOTDs, the various photo points usually clear up close to showtimes and towards the evening. So don’t waste time queuing for them in the first half of the day if the line is long.
So… is visiting Universal Studios Beijing worth it?
YES! For someone who grew up admiring Po’s courage, laughing at the Minions’ goofiness, and wishing to be a baddie like Draco Malfoy (definitely not Lord Voldemort) — visiting Universal Studios Beijing made me feel like a silly little kid again. Honestly, maybe that’s the whole point of USB.
Even if you’re not the biggest fan of the franchises, it’s still an incredibly fun adventure with all the rides, attractions, and live performances packed into one park. And who knows, you might even leave loving the films afterwards too!
This is MY land — the land of AWESOMENESS (nobody asked).
As Master Oogway from Kung Fu Panda said, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”
Cheesy as it is, it’s really true. I guess it’s a sign to seize the moment, go to Universal Studios Beijing, and live the best moments of your life here.
Want to know anything else about Universal Studios Beijing? Let us know in the comments below!
