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Took a public bus to Changi Airport Terminal 3 early in the morning.
McDonald's @ T3 Arrivals
After checked in my luggage, I had my breakfast in the fast-food restaurant located on the level one of the terminal (left photo below). Got myself a "Deluxe Breakfast" set at SGD 9.10 (right photo below).
Singapore AirlinesBoarded SQ 802 and the flight took off on time at 0830 hours. From the menu in the 'Singapore Airlines mobile App', there were two main courses available for selection (left photo below). Opted the "omelette with country style chicken patties" for my inflight breakfast (right photo below).
Hotel Check-in
Took airport express from the Airport station to Dongzhimen station. Initially wanted to hire a taxi, but after waited along the road for about 5-mins I then decided to walk for about 15-mins to the hotel. After checked-in the hotel, I had some washup in the room before getting out to explore Beijing.
Took subway to Chongwenmen station.
Beijing Ming City Wall Ruins Park (北京明城墙遗址公园)
Beijing Ming City Wall Ruins Park is a park with the longest and best-preserved section of the Ming Dynasty city wall. It extends east from Chongwenmen to Dongbianmen and then north to Beijing railway station east street.
History of the Wall
- The Ming city walls stood for nearly 550 years until the early 1960s when most of the gates and walls were torn down to build the Beijing Subway Line 2 which runs underneath where the walls once stood. Of the 40-km of the original wall, only this 1.5-km section and a Corner Tower were spared.
Layout and Descriptions
- The inner-city wall stood at 11.4-meters high and were topped with battlements that rose a further 1.9-meters (photos below).
The bastions protruding on the outside face of the wall, spaced about 80-meters apart, allowed archers to fire at attackers from three sides during the ancient times (photos below).
| 🎫 Beijing Ming City Wall Ruins Park (北京明城墙遗址公园) | |
|---|---|
| Website: |  |
| Access: | Chongwenmen station (崇文门站) of Line 2 and 5 |
| Opening Hours: | 0830 to 1700 hours; daily (last admission at 1630 hours) |
| Admission: | Admission is Free to the Ruins Park. CNY 10 (adult) is required to enter the Corner Tower and ramparts. |
Chongwenmen Shopping Area
There are several major shopping malls located in the Chongwenmen Shopping Area, such as:
- • Beijing New World Shopping Mall (北京新世界商场) (left photo below)
KungFu Restaurant (真功夫)
Kungfu is a fast-food chain with more than 300 locations in China. Decided to have my dinner in this familiar restaurant located in Soshow Mall (left photo below). Ordered a "steamed pork ribs with black bean sauce" set with hot soy milk and lettuce (right photo below).
Total cost for this meal was CNY 38. Rice was served warm and the pork ribs tasted like home-cooked.
| 🍔 KungFu Restaurant (真功夫) | |
|---|---|
| Address: | No. 40, Chongwenmenwai Avenue, Chongwen District, Beijing |
| Access: | Chongwenmen Station of Line 2 and 5, walk for 5-mins from Exit C2 |
| Operating Hours: | 1000 hours to 2200 hours; daily |
SoShow Shopping Mall (搜秀城)
The entire level six of the SoShow Shopping Mall is a paradise for figurine collectors. It features mainly on video games, anime figures as well as head sculptures and busts, and medieval toys (photos below). The layout is very much like most toy shops I visited in Hong Kong and has an extensive display of toys and figurines.
However I did not manage to buy any figurines from there.
Supper from Subway Convenience Store
While walking towards the train platform, I saw this convenience store located inside the subway station (left photo below). As such, bought an "Oreo mooncake" at CNY 10.90 and a "Brown sugar pearl milk tea" at CNY 10.80 for supper (right photo below).
Had a good rest after some tiring walk during the day.Day Two
Had a good breakfast in the hotel and thereafter took subway to the Universal Studios.
Universal Beijing Resort
The Universal Beijing Resort is an entertainment resort complex that consists of Universal Studios Beijing, Universal City Walk Beijing and two hotels, namely the Universal Studios Grand Hotel and NUO Resort Hotel.
Getting to the Resort
- It can be reached by Beijing Subway from its terminal station "Universal Resort" (环球度假区站) of Line 7 and Batong Line.
Security Screenings
- Once exited from the station, visitors will first have to go through the security screenings (left photo below). Do note that beyond typical items prohibited in theme parks, items such as selfie sticks, tripods, folding chairs or stools, and even glass bottles are not allowed in the park for safety reasons. Refer to their official website page for more information on the restricted items.
However food for personal consumption and plastic or aluminium bottles can be brought in. There are also water dispensers (hot and cold) available for free right outside the restrooms in the park.
Popular Universal Studios Icon
- The famous "Universal Globe" can be found between the end of the Universal Citywalk and the bridge to the studio entrance (right photo below). This is one of the most popular icons that visitors will take a photograph with.
Opened on Sep 2021, the Universal Studios Beijing covers an area of approximately 52-hectares. It is the fifth and currently the newest Universal Studios in the world.
Park Tickets
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Tickets can be bought via the 'Universal Beijing mobile App' or from an authorized travel agent such as Klook. Like most major attractions in Mainland China, every park ticket is tied to an identity document. Therefore it is important to input the identity document number, i.e. passport number for foreigners, accurately for the ticket purchased. The passport will then be the admission ticket and required to be scanned at the park turnstile for entry.
There is a wide variety of park tickets to select based on entry timing, for example 0.5-day (admission after 2 pm), 1-day, 1.5-days, 2-days (within a week), and even multiple visits within a season. As such admission prices also varies accordingly.
Park Entrance
- After crossing over a bridge, the grand entrance to the park stood right in front of a large square (left photo below). In fact, this building is the world's first Universal-themed hotel "Universal Studios Grand Hotel" and the first hotel to be integrated into the entrance of a Universal Studios theme park.
Joined the queue under the park entrance at about 9.30 am (right photo below). Minutes before the park's opening, there were cheers and music to build up the atmosphere and anticipation of visitors. The gates opened at 10 am sharp but due to the long queue, I entered the park only at about 10.30 am.
- Universal Beijing Resort encompasses seven themed scenic areas, namely Hollywood, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Land, Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness, Transformers Metrobase, Jurassic World Isla Nublar and Waterworld (photo below).
- Themed after the 'Harry Potter' franchise. Replica of the Hogwarts Castle can be found in this area (photos below).
A recreation of the Hogwarts Express lies at the entry to Hogsmeade (left photo below). Layout of the Hogsmeade village is very similar to the same themed area in Universal Studios Japan (right photo below).
Finally got to taste the frozen "ButterBeer" that comes with the butterscotch topping (left photo below). Purchased it at CNY 50 per cup from the outdoor butterbeer cart (right photo below). It was just a non-alcoholic cream soda with vanilla taste.
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- The most popular attraction is the "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" which is a motion simulator dark ride. From the 'Universal Beijing mobile App', the waiting time was only 25-mins (left photo below). This was much shorter compared to the same ride I took which was 1.5 hour in Universal Studios Japan. The ride is located inside the Hogwarts Castle and entrance to the ride is through its main gate (right photo below).
During the queue, visitors will walk past the "Griffin Stairwell" (left photo below) and "Dumbledore's Office" (right photo below) before reaching the actual ride.
The ride was fun with its 3D screen and robots where there were occasional water spray and use of fog and cold air. This time I was able to understand its story plot as its narrations and conversations were in mandarin.
Waterworld (未来水世界)
- Directions in the park are clear and easy to follow (left photo below).
In the Waterworld, visitors can watch a thrilling "Waterworld Stunt Show" featuring high-speed water motorcycle dives and heart-stopping plane crashes (right photo below).
I did not get to watch this stunt show due to its late timing.Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness (功夫熊猫盖世之地)
- Themed after DreamWorks Animation's 'Kung Fu Panda' movie series. This is the first entirely-indoor land for a Universal theme-park.
Both its East entrance (left photo below) and West entrance (right photo below) are decorated with Po as the main character.
The entire scenic area is designed around a "Chinese legendary experience", creating an all-weather indoor attraction including the Jade Palace, the Tree of Heavenly Wisdom and Panda Village (photos below).
Sculptures of the various movie characters can also be found in this area (photos below).
Family rides include the "Carousel of Kung Fu Heroes" (left photo below) and "Lanterns of Legendary Legends" (right photo below).
The "Kung Fu Panda Meet and Greet" is a fun picture-taking activity for young children. During my visit, 'Mei Mei' was out to meet her fans (left photo below).• Kung Fu Panda: Journey of the Dragon Warrior
- The "Kung Fu Panda: Journey of the Dragon Warrior" is a multimedia indoor boat ride that takes riders to the 'Valley of Peace' (right photo below).
• Po's Kung Fu Training Camp
- "Po's Kung Fu Training Camp" is an interactive play for young children. Following is the short introductory clip of the show (video below).
Transformers Metrobase (变形金刚基地)
- Themed after the 'Transformers' media franchise. This area features an exclusive extended story background where the giant Titan "Metroplex" collaborates with outstanding Chinese scientists to select a site rich in energy crystals as the Beijing headquarters of the Autobot 'Nonbiological Extraterrestrial Species Treaty' (N.E.S.T.) Base.
• Transformers: Battle for the AllSpark
- The most popular ride is the "Transformers: Battle for the AllSpark" which is a motion-based 3D simulator dark ride. The ride entrance can be easily located from the huge statue of Optimus Prime in front of it (left photo below). From the Universal mobile App, a waiting time of 20-mins was required (right photo below).
Riders first queue in a Sci-Fi City themed area with a canister of AllSpark in its center (left photo below). And later part of the queue in an area themed as 'N.E.S.T.' base (right photo below).
This 3D dark ride is similar to the rides in Universal Singapore, Universal Hollywood and Universal Florida.
• Decepticoaster
- Another high demand ride is the "Decepticoaster" which is a launched roller coaster of 1.1-km in length (photos below). This is the most intense ride in the entire park that can reach a speed up to 108 km/h of 4 g-force.
- Had my simple lunch from a food kiosk named "West Dock Dogs" (left photo below). Bought a hot dog bun at CNY 45 that came with ketchup and honey mustard sauces (right photo below).
- This area is themed after the 'Jurassic World' movie franchise. The Jurassic World Arch marks the entrance to the area (left photo below) where visitors get to embark on an adventure on Isla Nublar. The Aviary is a glass dome that contains two attractions, the "Camp Jurassic" which is a children play area and "Jurassic Flyers" which is an inverted powered coaster (right photo below).
- The "Jurassic Flyers" enables riders to soar 8-meters above the Jurassic World from the perspective of Pteranodon's eye that start from the aviary (left photo below) and looped around the waterfall mountain (right photo below) before ending back in the aviary.
- The "Raptor Encounter" is a good location to take Instagram worthy photos with the ferocious 'life-sized' velociraptor (left photo below). Younger children will definitely like the "Baby Raptor" encounter located next to the Birds of Prey café (right photo below).
- The most popular ride is the "Jurassic World Adventure" which is a motion-based ride featuring animatronics of Indominus Rex, Ankylosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex (left photo below). The waiting time for this ride was about 25-mins during my visit (right photo below).
Riders first past through the visitor center (left photo below) before entering the laboratory (right photo below).
Various high-tech laboratory instruments and hatcheries are displayed in this pre-show area (left photo below). Finally, riders get to board the 'All Terrain Luxury Automated System (A.T.L.A.S.) ' vehicle to start the adventure (right photo below).
Following is the compiled clip of the "Jurassic World Adventure" ride (video below).Minion Land (小黄人乐园)
- Themed after Illumination's Minions, 'Despicable Me', and 'Sing' franchises. The park brings to life many characters and classic scenes from these movies where Minions can be seen 'wandering around' in the streets, ports, and city centers (photos below).
The "Super Silly Fun Land" is an indoor amusement park inspired by the seaside carnival scene in 'Despicable Me' with arcade games and rides (photos below).
Two popular attractions can be found in this area, the "Sing on Tour" which is an immersive musical stage show based on the 'Sing' franchise (left photo below) and the "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" which is a motion simulator ride featuring characters from the 'Despicable Me' franchise (right photo below).
- This is a computer-animated motion simulator ride where guests transform into Minions, undergo training and assist Gru's daughters to give Gru a present to commemorate the anniversary of their adoption.
While waiting in the queue, guests first get to learn more about the recruitments of a Minion and there is even a fun quiz on the readiness to be a Minion (left photo below). Thereafter guests enter Gru's living room as part of the pre-show to explain what to expect and some safety instructions (right photo below).
Following is the clip on the first 40 seconds of the ride (video below).The same motion simulator ride is under construction in Universal Studios Singapore and its new 'Minion Land' including this ride is expected to open in 2025.
Hollywood (好莱坞)
- Themed after the real Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, this area acts as the entryway to the park (photos below). This area contains several souvenirs and restaurants.
- There are two attractions in this area.
- The "Untrainable" features a 'How to Train Your Dragon'-themed stage-show (left photo below).
- "Lights, Camera, Action!" is the Beijing version similar to Universal Studios Singapore which features an introduction by Zhang Yimou and Steven Spielberg as pre-show. This is followed by audience proceed into the main sound stage which was modeled after the interior of a boathouse in Shanghai (right photo below).
From 30 Mar to 26 May 2024, the park presented its first-ever "Spring Carnival" with colorful decorations at its music plaza (left photo below). The brand-new "Spring Carnival Party" invited guests to join the energetic dancers in their lively dance routines and leaping together in celebration with a cast of Universal characters such as Woody Woodpecker and Winnie Woodpecker. (right photo below).
Following is the clip on the "Spring Carnival Party" (video below).I did not stayed till the evening for "Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle" projection show and left the Universal Studios Beijing at about 5 pm.
| 🎫 Universal Studios Beijing (北京环球影城) | |
|---|---|
| Website: | https://www.universalbeijingresort.com/en |
| Access: | Universal Resort station (环球度假区站) of Line 7 and Batong Line |
| Opening Hours: | 1000 to 2000 hours; daily |
| Admission: | Depending on the season, 1-day Standard Pass can cost starting CNY 363 (adult). Paid CNY 548.99 during my visit. |
Universal CityWalk Beijing
Universal CityWalk is the name shared by the entertainment and retail districts and this layout is the same concept to Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort in Florida and Universal Studios Japan. It is located between the parking and transit station and the theme park and waterpark entrances. Universal CityWalk Beijing includes restaurants, cinemas and retail stores (photos below). Opening hours of the CityWalk from 0700 hours to 2300 hours daily.
Took subway to Xidan station.
Universal Studios around the World
Among the five Universal Studios theme parks in the world, I only visited four of them. Frankly speaking each of the park has its own uniqueness and charms.
| Comparison of the four Universal Studios that I visited | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hollywood |
 Japan |
 Singapore |
 Beijing |
|
| Location: California, USA Opened in: 1964 Area Size: 168-hectares Rides & Attractions: about 24 My Favorite Ride(s): • King Kong: 360 3-D • The Simpsons Ride Year that I visited: 2011 |
Location: Osaka, Japan Opened in: 2001 Area Size: 44-hectares Rides & Attractions: about 30 My Favorite Ride(s): • Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Year that I visited: 2016 |
Location: Sentosa, Singapore Opened in: 2008 Area Size: 25-hectares Rides & Attractions: about 28 My Favorite Ride(s): • Transformers: The Ride 3D • Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure Year that I visited: 2012, 2017 |
Location: Beijing, China Opened in: 2021 Area Size: 52-hectares Rides & Attractions: about 37 My Favorite Ride(s): • Jurassic World Adventure • Despicable Me Minion Mayhem Year that I visited: 2024 |
|
I hope that I'm able to visit Universal Studios Florida in near future to fulfill my travel wishlist.
Ajisen Ramen (Grand Pacific store) 味千拉面 (西单君太百货店)
Had my dinner in the Ajisen Ramen restaurant located in the Grand Pacific shopping mall (left photo below). Ordered a "Curry Pork Chop Rice with Spring Bamboo Shoots" at CNY 47 (right photo below).
Taste was good for the rich curry gravy and crunchy bamboo shoots.| 🍔 Ajisen Ramen (Grand Pacific store) 味千拉面 (西单君太百货店) | |
|---|---|
| Address: | Floor B1, No. 133 Xidan North Street, Xicheng District |
| Access: | Xidan Subway Station of Line 1 and 4 |
| Operating Hours: | 1000 hours to 2200 hours; daily |
Beijing Book Building (北京图书大厦)
This Beijing Book Building is the largest bookstore in Beijing that features an overwhelming selection of Chinese-language books (left photo below). Its entire basement level is even dedicated to English-language books.
Managed to get some Chinese books after browsing for about an hour. There was no paper or plastic bag provided from the cashier, but interestingly the books were tied using a string which was the same packing I got 15 years ago (right photo below).
The Beijing Book Building can be reached from Exit C of Xidan subway station and its opening hours from 0900 hours to 2100 hours daily.Chez Choux (西树泡芙)
Was tempted when I saw the Chez Choux outlet in Ginza Mall having its promotion of giving one free cream puff with every purchased of 3 puffs (left photo below). Thus bought one flavor each of the original vanilla puff, double crispy crust cocoa puff, double crispy crust matcha puff, and the free pastry crust vanilla puff (right photo below).
