A visit to Universal Studios Beijing offers an immersive experience, where you can live out your favorite movie moments. Whether it's embracing your inner wizard at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, exploring the thrilling Jurassic World, or facing the epic battle of Autobots and Decepticons in Transformers, this theme park has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on discovering the magic of Universal Studios Beijing! 

Accommodation & Transportation

Accommodation: As we decided to go at the last minute, most hotels near Universal Studios were fully booked. We ended up staying near the subway in Tongzhou District. We picked the Fengshang Hotel, which was clean, well-equipped, and convenient, though the soundproofing wasn’t the best. The breakfast shop downstairs offered some tasty dumplings at night as well.

Transportation: We took the subway to Universal Studios. Our hotel was just a short taxi ride from Jiukeshu Station on the Batong Line, making the trip quick and easy. Avoid taking a taxi directly to the park—Beijing traffic is notoriously bad. The subway is faster, and once you reach the end of the line, staff will guide you to the park, so no need to worry about the nearest exit.

Outfit Suggestions

As a Harry Potter fan, I rented a wizard robe, wand, scarf, and a bear headband online (buying the set is expensive, with robes alone costing over 800, while renting everything for just over 100). I went for a Slytherin robe and Sirius’s wand (Sirius is my favorite character!). I didn’t wear a white shirt under the robe, so I could still take photos outside the Harry Potter area.

If you’re not into Harry Potter, there’s no need to wear the robe, as they’re quite heavy and uncomfortable. However, kids will love them! Bright clothes are also a great choice for photos.

Overall Experience

The weather was perfect during our visit—neither too cold nor too hot—making it ideal for waiting in lines. Universal Studios’ special effects are impressive, and every 4D attraction is worth trying, though the visuals could be sharper, and the pace of the rides is fast. The roller coasters were fairly standard, but the Megatron ride was intense. We skipped some performances due to time, which was a minor disappointment. Compared to Disney, I found Universal Studios less immersive since I’ve only watched a few of the movies. To fully enjoy the experience, I recommend catching up on the films beforehand.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter | Believing in Magic

Do you believe in magic?

Maybe you think wizards are just lost in the Muggle world.

After watching Harry Potter over and over, perhaps you’ve dreamed of receiving your Hogwarts letter from an owl.

Maybe you’ve imagined stepping through Platform 9¾, riding the Hogwarts Express, and entering the magical castle.

You might even dream of soaring through the air on a broomstick.

Or maybe the magical beans and chocolate frogs are what you long for.

Do you want to see what you desire most in the Mirror of Erised?

Or meet Buckbeak in the Forbidden Forest?

When you first lay eyes on the castle, you might feel tears well up.

9:40 Forbidden Journey

Entering the castle, you’ll walk through corridors and classrooms and spot familiar sights, like the Fat Lady, Dumbledore’s office, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, and the Sorting Hat. These hidden gems are only visible while waiting in line. Personally, I didn’t mind the long wait.

On the ride, you’ll join Harry Potter on a flying adventure; Hagrid waves at you, the Golden Snitch zooms by, and Dementors close in. The ride brings movie scenes to life, though the 4D screen could use better resolution. It’s an amazing experience that fans will want to relive (the “forbidden” part is that you won’t want it to end once it begins).

10:10 Flight of the Hippogriff

While in line, you’ll spot Hagrid’s hut, surrounded by fences and bushes, evoking the feel of the Forbidden Forest. When the roller coaster begins, make sure to glance left to see Buckbeak—this is the only ride where you can spot him! The ride is gentle, with beautiful views of Hogwarts, and although it’s not as intense as other coasters, the scenic experience makes it worth it.

11:15 Minion Mayhem

Join the Minions in celebrating Gru’s birthday! The ride is vibrant and visually striking, with a heartwarming story that’s fun for both kids and adults. Be sure to take photos with the quirky Minions and ring the doorbells of Gru’s house to meet different Minions.

12:00 Sing-a-long Show

The lively musical performance features characters like Ash, Johnny, and Mina, each with their own story. While the performers gave great energy, the audience didn’t engage much, which dampened the experience. It would have been more fun if the crowd had danced along.

13:55 Jurassic World Adventure

Riding in an all-terrain luxury automatic system, we traveled back 65 million years to the heart of Isla Nublar. Surrounded by tropical rainforests, we came face-to-face with various dinosaurs, embarking on a thrilling and immersive adventure.The ride follows the storyline of the movie, offering encounters and close calls with dinosaurs. Our vehicle was full of kids, and they were absolutely ecstatic, screaming without a care in the world, which really elevated the atmosphere. The experience was fantastic!

15:10 Megatron Roller Coaster

After finishing Jurassic Adventure, we headed straight to Megatron. This is the most intense ride in the park, with seven 360-degree loops and speeds reaching 104 km/h. It’s a thrilling experience that’ll have you screaming from start to finish.

16:48 Soaring Over Jurassic World

Originally, we planned to watch the 3:00 PM WaterWorld Special Effects Show (reportedly the best show in the park) right after finishing the Transformers ride. We ran to WaterWorld, only to be told that it had reached full capacity and closed half an hour earlier. So, for those who want to catch the show, make sure to queue up early!

Without the WaterWorld show, we decided to go for Soaring Over Jurassic World. Rather than a roller coaster, it felt more like a small sightseeing cable car, gliding through jungles and waterfalls. It even offered a panoramic view of Hollywood Boulevard—quite a unique experience!

18:40 Battle for the Fire Source

We waited over 100 minutes for this 4D experience, and it was totally worth it. The special effects were the best in the park, with intense seat vibrations and energy crystals flying at you, giving a strong sense of immersion.

19:30 Hogwarts Castle Nighttime Magic Celebration

As night falls, the lights and shadows in Hogsmeade come to life with magic. The Sorting Hat tells the story of the four Hogwarts houses, creating a breathtaking atmosphere. Before the light show, we grabbed Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks Pub—it’s carbonated with cream, and while it wasn’t as bad as some reviews suggest, it’s definitely an acquired taste.

19:45 Lights, Camera, Action!

We passed by Lights, Camera, Action! and noticed the wait time was only five minutes, so we decided to check it out. The experience starts with everyone standing in a room where Zhang Yimou and another director explain film shooting and special effects in a video clip. Honestly, it was a bit dull.

After that, we moved into another hall, which was much better. The visuals were impressive and delivered a strong sensory impact. This part took the audience on a journey into the world of special effects, allowing us to participate in the behind-the-scenes process of creating a special-effects movie.

Some Tips

1.  Make reservations before entering to save time, and check the app for accurate queue times.

2.  Time is precious at the park, so run straight to the Harry Potter area to maximize your experience.

3.  Pack light! Some attractions require long waits for storing bags, so drop off unnecessary items to save time.

Final Thoughts

Every trip teaches me the importance of what we “let go” and what we “gain.” There will always be regrets, but they’re saved for next time.

I’ll continue to believe in the magical world where good and evil coexist, where Minions spread joy, where prehistoric dinosaurs roam, and where Autobots fight against evil forces.

Someday, I’ll let go of all my worries and immerse myself in the magic of Universal Studios once again.  

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4-Day Beijing Trip

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