It might be the obsession of Harry Potter fans, the exploration of Jurassic World, the battle between good and evil in Transformers, the Minions traveling the world to find their master, or the California vibes of Hollywood Boulevard… Every movie IP you love is waiting to be discovered at Universal Studios Beijing. Here, all your fantasies come true!
Accommodation and Transportation
Accommodation: Since the trip was decided last minute, most hotels near Universal Studios were fully booked. We chose to stay near a subway station in Tongzhou District. We stayed at Fengshang Hotel, which was clean and well-equipped, although the soundproofing was poor. There was a breakfast shop downstairs, and we had delicious dumplings in the evening.
Transportation: We took the subway to Universal Studios. Our hotel was a short taxi ride from Jiukeshu Station on the Batong Line, which was very fast. Don’t expect to take a taxi directly to Universal Studios; Beijing traffic is notorious. The subway is quick, and once you reach the terminal stations on Line 1 or Batong Line, staff will guide you, so no need to worry about which exit to use.
Outfit Tips
Since I’m a fan, I rented a wizard robe, wand, scarf, and bear headband online (buying a set is quite expensive, with robes alone costing over 800, while renting a full set for just over 100). I chose a Slytherin robe and Sirius’s wand (Sirius is my favorite character). I didn’t wear a white shirt under the robe, so it still looked good when I took off the robe outside the Harry Potter area.
For those without the same nostalgia, there’s no need to wear a robe, as the official robes are heavy and can be quite uncomfortable on your shoulders and neck. However, kids would enjoy wearing them. Bright-colored clothes are a great choice for photos.
Overall Experience
We visited during a season with perfect weather—neither too cold nor too hot for waiting in lines, which made for a very comfortable day. Universal Studios' special effects are impressive, and every 4D attraction is worth trying, although the visuals can be a bit blurry, and the pace is fast, making some details hard to catch. The roller coasters were less exciting, though the Megatron one was thrilling. We missed many performances due to time constraints, which was a small regret. Compared to Disney, I felt that Universal Studios didn’t offer as immersive an experience, as I’ve only seen a few of the movies. For a richer experience, it's best to watch more of the movies beforehand.
Harry Potter’s Magical World | Always Believing in Magic
Do you believe in magic?
Do you think we might be wizards lost in the Muggle world?
After watching Harry Potter countless times, maybe you’ve imagined receiving an owl carrying an acceptance letter for Hogwarts.
Perhaps you’ve wanted to pass through Platform 9¾, board the Hogwarts Express, and enter the magical castle.
Maybe the thrill of flying on a broomstick excites you.
Or perhaps the magical beans and chocolate frogs are what you crave.
Do you want to peer into the Mirror of Erised to see what you desire most?
Maybe you want to meet Buckbeak in the Forbidden Forest?
The moment you see the castle, you’ll truly feel moved.
9:40 Forbidden Journey
As you enter the castle, you’ll walk through corridors and classrooms, seeing paintings like the Fat Lady, Dumbledore’s office, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, and the Sorting Hat. These hidden gems can only be discovered while queuing. Personally, I think the long wait was worth it.
On the ride, Harry Potter takes you on a flying adventure; Hagrid waves at you, the Golden Snitch flies by, and Dementors approach. The experience recreates scenes from the movie, though the 4D screen quality could be sharper. Overall, it was an excellent experience, and fans will definitely want to go again (the “forbidden” part is that once you start, you never want it to end).
10:10 Flight of the Hippogriff
While waiting, you can spot Hagrid’s hut, surrounded by fences and bushes, creating the feeling of the Forbidden Forest. When the roller coaster starts, make sure to look left, where you can see Buckbeak (the only time you can see him!). The rest of the ride is a gentle flying experience in the magical world, with great views of Hogwarts, so make sure to keep your eyes open. Although not as thrilling as other rides, the view makes it worthwhile.
11:15 Minion Mayhem
Join the Minions for a fun-filled celebration of Gru’s birthday! The experience is colorful, with a strong visual impact and a heartwarming background story that’s perfect for both kids and adults. Don’t forget to take pictures with the quirky Minions and ring the doorbells of Gru’s house to meet different Minions.
12:00 Sing-a-long Show
The musical performance features a fun storyline, with lively voices from characters like rock rebel Ash, the rebellious gorilla Johnny, and the stage-frightened elephant Mina. While the actors gave great performances, the audience didn’t engage much, which was a bit disappointing. It would have been better if the crowd participated more actively.
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 the Jurassic Adventure, we headed to the Megatron ride. This ride is one of the most thrilling in the park, with seven 360-degree loops and speeds up to 104 km/h. It’s the most intense attraction, with strong g-forces that’ll have you screaming and dizzy afterward—definitely worth the experience!
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
After waiting for over 100 minutes, this 4D experience turned out to be one of the best in terms of effects. The chairs shake intensely, and you’ll feel like energy crystals are flying toward you, with blasts of heat adding to the sensory overload.
19:30 Hogwarts Castle Nighttime Magic Celebration
As night falls, all the lights in Hogsmeade seem to come alive with magic. The Sorting Hat tells the story of the four houses, and each scene is stunning. Before the show, we tried Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks Pub—it's carbonated with cream, and although it wasn’t as bad as some reviews suggest, it’s 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 the park to save time. Check queue times on the app—they’re pretty accurate.
2. Time is precious at the theme park—run to the Harry Potter area first if you want to experience more attractions.
3. Travel light! Some attractions require long waits for storing bags, so ditch unnecessary items and enjoy the day.
Final Thoughts
Every trip helps me deeply understand the balance between “letting go” and “getting.” There will always be regrets, but those are reserved for next time.
No matter what, I’ll continue to believe that somewhere in the world, there’s a magical castle where justice and love play out, with mischievous Minions spreading joy, and prehistoric dinosaurs waking up on an island.
One day, I’ll let go of all my worries and embrace another magical encounter with Universal Studios.
